Anti-NGF compositions and use thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to antibodies and fragments thereof having binding specificity for NGF. Another embodiment of this invention relates to the antibodies described herein, and binding fragments thereof, comprising the sequences of the V H , V L  and CDR polypeptides described herein, and the polynucleotides encoding them. The invention also contemplates conjugates of anti-NGF antibodies and binding fragments thereof conjugated to one or more functional or detectable moieties. The invention also contemplates methods of making said anti-NGF antibodies and binding fragments thereof. Embodiments of the invention also pertain to the use of anti-NGF antibodies, and binding fragments thereof, for the diagnosis, assessment and treatment of diseases and disorders associated with NGF.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-part Application of U.S. Ser. No. 13/309,295, filed Dec. 1, 2011, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/418,832, filed Dec. 1, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In addition this application relates to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/308,665, entitled “METHODS OF PREVENTING OR TREATING PAIN USING ANTI-NGF ANTIBODIES THAT SELECTIVELY INHIBIT THE ASSOCIATION OF NGF WITH TRKA, WITHOUT AFFECTING THE ASSOCIATION OF NGF WITH P75”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/308,831, entitled “METHODS OF PREVENTING INFLAMMATION AND TREATING PAIN USING ANTI-NGF COMPOSITIONS”; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/309,153, entitled “METHODS OF PREVENTING OR TREATING PAIN USING ANTI-NGF ANTIBODIES”, all assigned to Alder Biopharmaceuticals, and all filed on Dec. 1, 2011, the contents of which are all incorporated by reference in their entireties.

This application includes as part of its disclosure a biological sequence listing contained in the file named “43257o2006SequenceListing.txt” having a size of 307,108 bytes, created Aug. 27, 2013 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention pertains to antibodies and fragments thereof (including Fab fragments) having binding specificity to human Nerve Growth Factor (hereinafter “NGF”). The invention also pertains to methods of screening for diseases and disorders associated with NGF, and methods of preventing or treating diseases and disorders associated with NGF by administering said antibodies or fragments thereof.

Description of Related Art

Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) (also known as beta nerve growth factor (Beta-NGF)) is produced as a mature protein of 222 amino acids in length, following cleavage of a 18 amino acid signal peptide. The gene encoding NGF is located on chromosome 1p13.1. A biologically active form of NGF is a secreted protein which homodimerizes and is incorporated into a larger complex. NGF is a member of the neurotrophins (NTs), which are a group of structurally-related proteins further including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), NT-3, and NT-4/5. (Wyman et al., Gene Therapy (1999), 6:1648-1660). NTs support the survival of specific types of neurons and neurotransmitter systems, being produced by cells that are targeted by innervating neurons. Id. Basal forebrain, substantia nigra, brain stem, cortex, and spinal cord are nervous system regions having demonstrated responsiveness to NGF. Id.

All NTs bind to a low-affinity receptor identified as p75. (Sarchielli et al., Expert Rev. Neurotherapeutics (2004), 4 (1):115-127). NGF selectively binds to, and displays a high affinity for, the high affinity neurotrophin receptor TrkA. Id. It has recently been demonstrated that NGF acts through its low-affinity receptor p75 in a developmentally-regulated signaling pathway necessary for myogenic differentiation and muscle repair in vivo. (Deponti et al., Mol. Biol. Cell (2009), 20:3620-3627).

NGF has also been demonstrated to interact with pain-signalling systems in adult animals, and is responsible for hyperalgesia when administered either locally or systemically in many species. (Sarchielli et al., Expert Rev. Neurotherapeutics (2004), 4 (1):115-127). NGF has been shown to induce a pain-like response when infused into the CSF in rats, and has been demonstrated to maintain chronic pain. Furthermore, NGF has been demonstrated to contribute to the development of mechanical allodynia occurring 8-12 hours later, and to the secondary pain response. Id.

Pain may often be addressed through the administration of certain narcotics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, the administration of these treatments may occur at the cost of certain negative consequences. NSAIDs have the potential to cause kidney failure, intestinal bleeding, and liver dysfunction. Narcotics have the potential to cause nausea, vomiting, impaired mental functioning, and addiction. Therefore, it is desirable to identify alternative treatments for pain in order to avoid certain of these negative consequences.

NGF is believed to play a role in a multitude of diseases and disorders, including but not limited to pain associated with a broad range of diseases and disorders, such as pain associated with cancers, neuropathic pain, and neurogenic pain. Due to the perceived involvement of NGF in a wide range of pain-related diseases and disorders, there remains a need in the art for compositions and methods useful for preventing or treating diseases and disorders associated with NGF, and particularly those associated with pain. Particularly preferred anti-NGF compositions are those having minimal or minimizing adverse reactions, such as inflammation when administered to the patient. Compositions or methods that reduce or inhibit diseases or disorders associated with NGF, such as pain, are beneficial to the patient in need thereof.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to specific antibodies and fragments thereof having binding specificity for NGF, in particular antibodies having desired epitopic specificity, high affinity or avidity and/or functional properties. Another embodiment of this invention relates to the antibodies described herein, comprising the sequences of the V_(H), V_(L) and CDR polypeptides described herein, and the polynucleotides encoding them.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is directed to chimeric or humanized antibodies and fragments thereof (including Fab fragments) capable of binding to NGF and/or inhibiting the biological activities mediated by the binding of NGF to p75 and/or the TrkA receptor. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, full length antibodies and Fab fragments thereof are capable of significantly reducing pain in vivo in murine models, as measured by Gait analysis (as described in the examples herein).

In another embodiment of the invention, chimeric or humanized antibodies and fragments thereof (including Fab fragments) capable of binding to NGF inhibit TF1 cell proliferation. In another embodiment of the invention, chimeric or humanized antibodies and fragments thereof (including Fab fragments) capable of binding to NGF inhibit PC-12 neurite outgrowth.

In another embodiment of the invention these antibodies and humanized versions may be derived from rabbit immune cells (B lymphocytes) and may be selected based on their homology (sequence identity) to human germ line sequences. These antibodies may require minimal or no sequence modifications, thereby facilitating retention of functional properties after humanization. A further embodiment of the invention is directed to fragments from anti-NGF antibodies encompassing V_(H), V_(L) and CDR polypeptides, e.g., derived from rabbit immune cells and the polynucleotides encoding the same, as well as the use of these antibody fragments and the polynucleotides encoding them in the creation of novel antibodies and polypeptide compositions capable of binding to NGF and/or NGF/TrkA and/or anti-NGF/p75 complexes or multimers thereof.

The invention also contemplates conjugates of anti-NGF antibodies and binding fragments thereof conjugated to one or more functional or detectable moieties. The invention also contemplates methods of making said chimeric or humanized anti-NGF or anti-NGF/TrkA and/or anti-NGF/p75 complex antibodies and binding fragments thereof.

In one embodiment, binding fragments include, but are not limited to, Fab, Fab′, F(ab′)₂, Fv, scFv fragments, SMIPs (small molecule immunopharmaceuticals), camelbodies, nanobodies, MetMab like monovalent agents, and IgNAR.

Embodiments of the invention pertain to the use of anti-NGF antibodies and binding fragments thereof for the diagnosis, assessment and treatment of diseases and disorders associated with NGF or aberrant expression thereof. The invention also contemplates the use of fragments of anti-NGF antibodies for the diagnosis, assessment and treatment of diseases and disorders associated with NGF or aberrant expression thereof. Other embodiments of the invention relate to the production of anti-NGF antibodies or fragments thereof in recombinant host cells, for example mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, or yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences corresponding to the full-length Antibody Ab1.

FIG. 2 provides polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences corresponding to the full-length Antibody Ab2.

FIG. 3 provides polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences corresponding to the full-length Antibody Ab3.

FIG. 4 provides polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences corresponding to the full-length Antibody Ab4.

FIG. 5 provides polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences corresponding to the full-length Antibody Ab5.

FIG. 6 provides polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences corresponding to the full-length Antibody Ab6.

FIG. 7 provides polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences corresponding to the full-length Antibody Ab7.

FIG. 8 provides polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences corresponding to the full-length Antibody Ab8.

FIG. 9 provides polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences corresponding to the full-length Antibody Ab9.

FIG. 10 provides polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences corresponding to the full-length Antibody Ab10.

FIG. 11 provides polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences corresponding to the full-length Antibody Ab11.

FIG. 12 provides polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences corresponding to the full-length Antibody Ab12.

FIG. 13 provides polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences corresponding to the full-length Antibody Ab13.

FIG. 14 provides polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences corresponding to the full-length Antibody Ab14.

FIG. 15 provides polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences corresponding to the full-length Antibody Ab15.

FIG. 16 provides polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences corresponding to the full-length Antibody Ab16.

FIG. 17 provides polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences corresponding to the full-length Antibody Ab17.

FIG. 18 provides polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences corresponding to the full-length Antibody Ab18.

FIG. 19 provides polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences corresponding to the full-length Antibody Ab19.

FIG. 20 provides polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences corresponding to the full-length Antibody Ab20.

FIG. 21 provides polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences corresponding to the full-length Antibody Ab21, produced by expression in Pichia pastoris.

FIG. 22 provides the heavy and light chain polypeptide sequences of Fab1.

FIG. 23 provides the heavy and light chain polypeptide sequences of Fab2.

FIG. 24 provides the NGF ELISA binding data obtained following the protocol described infra for antibodies Ab1 and Ab2.

FIG. 25 provides the NGF ELISA binding data obtained following the protocol described infra for antibody Ab3.

FIG. 26 provides the NGF ELISA binding data obtained following the protocol described infra for antibody Ab4.

FIG. 27 provides the NGF ELISA binding data obtained following the protocol described infra for antibodies Ab5 and Ab6.

FIG. 28 provides the NGF ELISA binding data obtained following the protocol described infra for Fab1.

FIG. 29 provides the NGF ELISA binding data obtained following the protocol described infra for Fab2.

FIG. 30 provides the NGF ELISA binding data obtained following the protocol described infra for antibodies Ab7 and Ab8.

FIG. 31 provides the NGF ELISA binding data obtained following the protocol described infra for antibodies Ab9 and Ab10.

FIG. 32 provides the NGF ELISA binding data obtained following the protocol described infra for antibody Ab11.

FIG. 33 provides the NGF ELISA binding data obtained following the protocol described infra for antibody Ab12.

FIG. 34 provides the NGF ELISA binding data obtained following the protocol described infra for antibody Ab13.

FIG. 35 provides the NGF ELISA binding data obtained following the protocol described infra for antibody Ab14.

FIG. 36 provides the NGF ELISA binding data obtained following the protocol described infra for antibody Ab15.

FIG. 37 provides the NGF ELISA binding data obtained following the protocol described infra for antibody Ab16.

FIG. 38 provides the NGF ELISA binding data obtained following the protocol described infra for antibodies Ab17 and Ab18.

FIG. 39 provides the NGF ELISA binding data obtained following the protocol described infra for antibody Ab19.

FIG. 40 provides the NGF ELISA binding data obtained following the protocol described infra for antibody Ab20.

FIG. 41 provides the TF1 cell proliferation data obtained following example 1 for antibodies Ab1 and Ab2.

FIG. 42 provides the TF1 cell proliferation data obtained following example 1 for antibodies Ab3 and Ab4.

FIG. 43 provides the TF1 cell proliferation data obtained following example 1 for antibodies Ab5 and Ab6.

FIG. 44 provides the TF1 cell proliferation data obtained following example 1 for the Fab1 and Fab2 antibody fragments.

FIG. 45 provides the TF1 cell proliferation data obtained following example 1 for antibodies Ab7 and Ab8.

FIG. 46 provides the TF1 cell proliferation data obtained following example 1 for antibodies Ab9 and Ab10.

FIG. 47 provides the TF1 cell proliferation data obtained following example 1 for antibodies Ab11 and Ab12.

FIG. 48 provides the TF1 cell proliferation data obtained following example 1 for antibodies Ab13 and Ab14.

FIG. 49 provides the TF1 cell proliferation data obtained following example 1 for antibody Ab15.

FIG. 50 provides the TF1 cell proliferation data obtained following example 1 for antibody Ab16.

FIG. 51 provides the TF1 cell proliferation data obtained following example 1 for antibodies Ab17 and Ab18.

FIG. 52 provides the TF1 cell proliferation data obtained following example 1 for antibodies Ab19 and Ab20.

FIG. 53 provides the inhibition of NGF-p75 interaction data obtained following example 5 for antibodies Ab3 and Ab4. Antibodies Ab3 and Ab4 do not demonstrate the ability to inhibit the interaction of NGF and p75.

FIG. 54 provides the inhibition of NGF-p75 interaction data obtained following example 5 for antibodies Ab15 and Ab16. Antibodies Ab15 and Ab16 do not demonstrate the ability to inhibit the interaction of NGF and p75.

FIG. 55 provides the inhibition of NGF-p75 interaction data obtained following example 5 for antibody Ab5. Antibody Ab5 demonstrates the ability to inhibit the interaction of NGF and p75.

FIG. 56 demonstrates the inhibition of PC-12 neurite outgrowth in the presence of increasing concentrations of antibody Ab1 obtained following example 6.

FIG. 57 demonstrates the inhibition of PC-12 neurite outgrowth in the presence of increasing concentrations of antibody Ab2 obtained following example 6.

FIG. 58 demonstrates the inhibition of PC-12 neurite outgrowth in the presence of increasing concentrations of antibody Ab3 obtained following example 6. The results further demonstrate that the inhibition of PC-12 neurite outgrowth in the presence of increasing concentrations of antibody Ab3 obtained following example 6 is less than that seen with anti-NGF antibodies which exhibit different NGF binding selectivity.

FIG. 59 demonstrates the inhibition of PC-12 neurite outgrowth in the presence of increasing concentrations of antibody Ab5 obtained following example 6.

FIG. 60 demonstrates the inhibition of PC-12 neurite outgrowth in the presence of increasing concentrations of antibody Ab6 obtained following example 6.

FIG. 61 demonstrates the inhibition of PC-12 neurite outgrowth in the presence of increasing concentrations of antibody Ab7 obtained following example 6.

FIG. 62 demonstrates the inhibition of PC-12 neurite outgrowth in the presence of increasing concentrations of antibody Ab8 obtained following example 6.

FIG. 63 demonstrates the inhibition of PC-12 neurite outgrowth in the presence of increasing concentrations of antibody Ab9 obtained following example 6.

FIG. 64 demonstrates the inhibition of PC-12 neurite outgrowth in the presence of increasing concentrations of antibody Ab10 obtained following example 6.

FIG. 65 demonstrates the inhibition of PC-12 neurite outgrowth in the presence of increasing concentrations of antibody Ab11 obtained following example 6.

FIG. 66 demonstrates the inhibition of PC-12 neurite outgrowth in the presence of increasing concentrations of antibody Ab13 obtained following example 6.

FIG. 67 demonstrates the inhibition of PC-12 neurite outgrowth in the presence of increasing concentrations of antibody Ab17 obtained following example 6.

FIG. 68 demonstrates the inhibition of PC-12 neurite outgrowth in the presence of increasing concentrations of antibody Ab18 obtained following example 6.

FIG. 69 demonstrates the inhibition of PC-12 neurite outgrowth in the presence of increasing concentrations of antibody Ab19 obtained following example 6.

FIG. 70 demonstrates a statistically significant reduction in pain as assessed by Gait analysis following administration of antibodies Ab2, Ab6, and Ab8, when compared with results obtained with the controls following example 7.

FIG. 71 demonstrates a statistically significant reduction in pain as assessed by Gait analysis following administration of antibody Ab6 and Fab1, when compared with results obtained with the controls following example 7.

FIG. 72 demonstrates a statistically significant reduction in pain as assessed by Gait analysis following administration of antibody Ab3, when compared with results obtained with the controls following example 7.

FIG. 73 demonstrates a statistically significant reduction in pain as assessed by Gait analysis following administration of antibody Ab6 and antibody Ab21, when compared with results obtained with the controls following example 7.

FIG. 74 demonstrates an increase in inflammation following administration of each of antibodies Ab2, Ab6, and Ab8, when compared with inflammation results for the controls following example 8.

FIG. 75 demonstrates no significant increase in inflammation following administration of the Fab1 antibody fragment, when compared with inflammation results for the control. In contrast, administration of antibody Ab6 resulted in increased inflammation, when compared with inflammation results for the controls following example 8.

FIG. 76 demonstrates an increase in inflammation following administration of antibody Ab3, when compared with inflammation results for the controls following example 8.

FIG. 77 also demonstrates an increase in inflammation following administration of antibody Ab6 and antibody Ab21, when compared with inflammation results for the controls following example 8.

FIG. 78 demonstrates the inhibition of PC-12 neurite outgrowth in the presence of increasing concentrations of antibody Ab16 obtained following example 6. The results further demonstrate that the inhibition of PC-12 neurite outgrowth at the same concentrations of antibody is less than that seen with anti-NGF antibodies which exhibit different NGF binding selectivity.

FIG. 79 demonstrates the inhibition of PC-12 neurite outgrowth in the presence of increasing concentrations of antibody Ab15 obtained following example 6. The results further demonstrate that the inhibition of PC-12 neurite outgrowth at the same concentrations of antibody is less than that seen with anti-NGF antibodies which exhibit different NGF binding selectivity.

FIG. 80 demonstrates no significant change in overall wellness, as determined by body weight, following administration of antibody Ab3 or Ab15, when compared with the change in body weight for the no reactivation control. In contrast, administration of negative control antibody resulted in a reduction in body weight, when compared with the change in body weight for the no reactivation control.

FIG. 81 demonstrates a statistically significant reduction in pain at 72 hours post-reactivation as assessed by Gait analysis following administration of antibody Ab3 or antibody Ab15, when compared with results obtained with the controls following example 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Definitions

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, protocols, cell lines, animal species or genera, and reagents described, as such may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention which will be limited only by the appended claims. As used herein the singular forms “a”, “and”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a cell” includes a plurality of such cells and reference to “the protein” includes reference to one or more proteins and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth. All technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs unless clearly indicated otherwise.

Nerve Growth Factor (NGF): As used herein, NGF (also referred to as Beta-NGF; HSAN5; and NGFB) encompasses not only the following mature amino acid sequence available from R&D Systems (Minneapolis, Minn.) as Homo sapiens Beta-Nerve Growth Factor (β-NGF): SSSHPIFHRGEFSVCDSVSVWVGDKTTATDIKGKEVMVLGEVNINNSVFKQYFFET KCRDPNPVDSGCRGIDSKHWNSYCTTTHTFVKALTMDGKQAAWRFIRIDTACVC VLSRKAVRRA (SEQ ID NO: 411), but also any pro-, mature, soluble, and/or membrane-bound forms of this NGF amino acid sequence, as well as mutants (mutiens), splice variants, isoforms, orthologues, homologues and variants of this sequence.

Host Cell: In the present invention this is generally intended to include any cell that provides for the expression of antibodies or antibody fragments according to the invention. This includes by way of example bacterial, yeast, fungi, avian, mammalian, plants, and insect cell expression systems. Typically antibodies are expressed in mammalian, bacterial and yeast cells. In a preferred embodiment the subject antibodies or antibody fragments are expressed in a proprietary secretory expression system that uses diploid Pichia yeast cultures for antibody expression. This expression system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,927,863, by Cregg, issued Apr. 19, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

Transgenic Animal: In the present invention this refers to any animal (non-human) that has been genetically modified, e.g., by mutation of an endogenous gene, gene knock-in, gene knock-out, and the like. As is well known in the art transgenic animals, e.g., rodents, bovines, et al. can be engineered with human immunoglobulin genes and thereby express human antibodies. Accordingly transgenic animals includes non-human animals engineered to express anti-NGF antibodies.

Mating competent yeast species: In the present invention this is intended to broadly encompass any diploid or tetraploid yeast which can be grown in culture. Such species of yeast may exist in a haploid, diploid, or other polyploid form. The cells of a given ploidy may, under appropriate conditions, proliferate for an indefinite number of generations in that form. Diploid cells can also sporulate to form haploid cells. Sequential mating can result in tetraploid strains through further mating or fusion of diploid strains. The present invention contemplates the use of haploid yeast, as well as diploid or other polyploid yeast cells produced, for example, by mating or spheroplast fusion.

In one embodiment of the invention, the mating competent yeast is a member of the Saccharomycetaceae family, which includes the genera Arxiozyma; Ascobotryozyma; Citeromyces; Debaryomyces; Dekkera; Eremothecium; Issatchenkia; Kazachstania; Kluyveromyces; Kodamaea; Lodderomyces; Pachysolen; Pichia; Saccharomyces; Saturnispora; Tetrapisispora; Torulaspora; Williopsis; and Zygosaccharomyces. Other types of yeast potentially useful in the invention include Yarrowia; Rhodosporidium; Candida; Hansenula; Filobasium; Sporidiobolus; Bullera; Leucosporidium and Filobasidella.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mating competent yeast is a member of the genus Pichia. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the mating competent yeast of the genus Pichia is one of the following species: Pichia pastoris, Pichia methanolica, and Hansenula polymorpha (Pichia angusta). In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the mating competent yeast of the genus Pichia is the species Pichia pastoris.

Haploid Yeast Cell: A cell having a single copy of each gene of its normal genomic (chromosomal) complement.

Polyploid Yeast Cell: A cell having more than one copy of its normal genomic (chromosomal) complement.

Diploid Yeast Cell: A cell having two copies (alleles) of essentially every gene of its normal genomic complement, typically formed by the process of fusion (mating) of two haploid cells.

Tetraploid Yeast Cell: A cell having four copies (alleles) of essentially every gene of its normal genomic complement, typically formed by the process of fusion (mating) of two haploid cells. Tetraploids may carry two, three, four or more different expression cassettes. Such tetraploids might be obtained in S. cerevisiae by selective mating homozygotic heterothallic a/a and alpha/alpha diploids and in Pichia by sequential mating of haploids to obtain auxotrophic diploids. For example, a [met his] haploid can be mated with [ade his] haploid to obtain diploid [his]; and a [met arg] haploid can be mated with [ade arg] haploid to obtain diploid [arg]; then the diploid [his] x diploid [arg] to obtain a tetraploid prototroph. It will be understood by those of skill in the art that reference to the benefits and uses of diploid cells may also apply to tetraploid cells.

Yeast Mating: The process by which two haploid yeast cells naturally fuse to form one diploid yeast cell.

Meiosis: The process by which a diploid yeast cell undergoes reductive division to form four haploid spore products. Each spore may then germinate and form a haploid vegetatively growing cell line.

Selectable Marker: A selectable marker is a gene or gene fragment that confers a growth phenotype (physical growth characteristic) on a cell receiving that gene as, for example through a transformation event. The selectable marker allows that cell to survive and grow in a selective growth medium under conditions in which cells that do not receive that selectable marker gene cannot grow. Selectable marker genes generally fall into several types, including positive selectable marker genes such as a gene that confers on a cell resistance to an antibiotic or other drug, temperature when two ts mutants are crossed or a ts mutant is transformed; negative selectable marker genes such as a biosynthetic gene that confers on a cell the ability to grow in a medium without a specific nutrient needed by all cells that do not have that biosynthetic gene, or a mutagenized biosynthetic gene that confers on a cell inability to grow by cells that do not have the wild type gene; and the like. Suitable markers include but are not limited to: ZEO; G418; LYS3; MET1; MET3a; ADE1; ADE3; URA3; and the like.

Expression Vector: These DNA vectors contain elements that facilitate manipulation for the expression of a foreign protein within the target host cell. Conveniently, manipulation of sequences and production of DNA for transformation is first performed in a bacterial host, e.g. E. coli, and usually vectors will include sequences to facilitate such manipulations, including a bacterial origin of replication and appropriate bacterial selection marker. Selection markers encode proteins necessary for the survival or growth of transformed host cells grown in a selective culture medium. Host cells not transformed with the vector containing the selection gene will not survive in the culture medium. Typical selection genes encode proteins that (a) confer resistance to antibiotics or other toxins, (b) complement auxotrophic deficiencies, or (c) supply critical nutrients not available from complex media. Exemplary vectors and methods for transformation of yeast are described, for example, in Burke, D., Dawson, D., & Steams, T. (2000). Methods in yeast genetics: a Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory course manual. Plainview, N.Y.: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.

Expression vectors for use in the methods of the invention will further include yeast specific sequences, including a selectable auxotrophic or drug marker for identifying transformed yeast strains. A drug marker may further be used to amplify copy number of the vector in a yeast host cell.

The polypeptide coding sequence of interest is operably linked to transcriptional and translational regulatory sequences that provide for expression of the polypeptide in yeast cells. These vector components may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: an enhancer element, a promoter, and a transcription termination sequence. Sequences for the secretion of the polypeptide may also be included, e.g. a signal sequence, and the like. A yeast origin of replication is optional, as expression vectors are often integrated into the yeast genome. In one embodiment of the invention, the polypeptide of interest is operably linked, or fused, to sequences providing for optimized secretion of the polypeptide from yeast diploid cells.

Nucleic acids are “operably linked” when placed into a functional relationship with another nucleic acid sequence. For example, DNA for a signal sequence is operably linked to DNA for a polypeptide if it is expressed as a preprotein that participates in the secretion of the polypeptide; a promoter or enhancer is operably linked to a coding sequence if it affects the transcription of the sequence. Generally, “operably linked” means that the DNA sequences being linked are contiguous, and, in the case of a secretory leader, contiguous and in reading frame. However, enhancers do not have to be contiguous. Linking is accomplished by ligation at convenient restriction sites or alternatively via a PCR/recombination method familiar to those skilled in the art (Gateway® Technology; Invitrogen, Carlsbad Calif.). If such sites do not exist, the synthetic oligonucleotide adapters or linkers are used in accordance with conventional practice.

Promoters are untranslated sequences located upstream (5′) to the start codon of a structural gene (generally within about 100 to 1000 bp) that control the transcription and translation of particular nucleic acid sequences to which they are operably linked. Such promoters fall into several classes: inducible, constitutive, and repressible promoters (that increase levels of transcription in response to absence of a repressor). Inducible promoters may initiate increased levels of transcription from DNA under their control in response to some change in culture conditions, e.g., the presence or absence of a nutrient or a change in temperature.

The yeast promoter fragment may also serve as the site for homologous recombination and integration of the expression vector into the same site in the yeast genome; alternatively a selectable marker is used as the site for homologous recombination. Pichia transformation is described in Cregg et al. (1985) Mol. Cell. Biol. 5:3376-3385.

Examples of suitable promoters from Pichia include the AOX1 and promoter (Cregg et al. (1989) Mol. Cell. Biol. 9:1316-1323); ICL1 promoter (Menendez et al. (2003) Yeast 20(13):1097-108); glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase promoter (GAP) (Waterham et al. (1997) Gene 186 (1):37-44); and FLD1 promoter (Shen et al. (1998) Gene 216 (1):93-102). The GAP promoter is a strong constitutive promoter and the AOX and FLD1 promoters are inducible.

Other yeast promoters include ADH1, alcohol dehydrogenase II, GAL4, PHO3, PHO5, Pyk, and chimeric promoters derived therefrom. Additionally, non-yeast promoters may be used in the invention such as mammalian, insect, plant, reptile, amphibian, viral, and avian promoters. Most typically the promoter will comprise a mammalian promoter (potentially endogenous to the expressed genes) or will comprise a yeast or viral promoter that provides for efficient transcription in yeast systems.

The polypeptides of interest may be produced recombinantly not only directly, but also as a fusion polypeptide with a heterologous polypeptide, e.g. a signal sequence or other polypeptide having a specific cleavage site at the N-terminus of the mature protein or polypeptide. In general, the signal sequence may be a component of the vector, or it may be a part of the polypeptide coding sequence that is inserted into the vector. The heterologous signal sequence selected preferably is one that is recognized and processed through one of the standard pathways available within the host cell. The S. cerevisiae alpha factor pre-pro signal has proven effective in the secretion of a variety of recombinant proteins from P. pastoris. Other yeast signal sequences include the alpha mating factor signal sequence, the invertase signal sequence, and signal sequences derived from other secreted yeast polypeptides. Additionally, these signal peptide sequences may be engineered to provide for enhanced secretion in diploid yeast expression systems. Other secretion signals of interest also include mammalian signal sequences, which may be heterologous to the protein being secreted, or may be a native sequence for the protein being secreted. Signal sequences include pre-peptide sequences, and in some instances may include propeptide sequences. Many such signal sequences are known in the art, including the signal sequences found on immunoglobulin chains, e.g., K28 preprotoxin sequence, PHA-E, FACE, human MCP-1, human serum albumin signal sequences, human Ig heavy chain, human Ig light chain, and the like. For example, see Hashimoto et. al. Protein Eng 11 (2) 75 (1998); and Kobayashi et. al. Therapeutic Apheresis 2 (4) 257 (1998).

Transcription may be increased by inserting a transcriptional activator sequence into the vector. These activators are cis-acting elements of DNA, usually about from 10 to 300 bp, which act on a promoter to increase its transcription. Transcriptional enhancers are relatively orientation and position independent, having been found 5′ and 3′ to the transcription unit, within an intron, as well as within the coding sequence itself. The enhancer may be spliced into the expression vector at a position 5′ or 3′ to the coding sequence, but is preferably located at a site 5′ from the promoter.

Expression vectors used in eukaryotic host cells may also contain sequences necessary for the termination of transcription and for stabilizing the mRNA. Such sequences are commonly available from 3′ to the translation termination codon, in untranslated regions of eukaryotic or viral DNAs or cDNAs. These regions contain nucleotide segments transcribed as polyadenylated fragments in the untranslated portion of the mRNA.

Construction of suitable vectors containing one or more of the above-listed components employs standard ligation techniques or PCR/recombination methods. Isolated plasmids or DNA fragments are cleaved, tailored, and re-ligated in the form desired to generate the plasmids required or via recombination methods. For analysis to confirm correct sequences in plasmids constructed, the ligation mixtures are used to transform host cells, and successful transformants selected by antibiotic resistance (e.g. ampicillin or Zeocin) where appropriate. Plasmids from the transformants are prepared, analyzed by restriction endonuclease digestion and/or sequenced.

As an alternative to restriction and ligation of fragments, recombination methods based on att sites and recombination enzymes may be used to insert DNA sequences into a vector. Such methods are described, for example, by Landy (1989) Ann. Rev. Biochem. 58:913-949; and are known to those of skill in the art. Such methods utilize intermolecular DNA recombination that is mediated by a mixture of lambda and E. coli-encoded recombination proteins. Recombination occurs between specific attachment (att) sites on the interacting DNA molecules. For a description of att sites see Weisberg and Landy (1983) Site-Specific Recombination in Phage Lambda, in Lambda II, Weisberg, ed. (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.:Cold Spring Harbor Press), pp. 211-250. The DNA segments flanking the recombination sites are switched, such that after recombination, the att sites are hybrid sequences comprised of sequences donated by each parental vector. The recombination can occur between DNAs of any topology.

Att sites may be introduced into a sequence of interest by ligating the sequence of interest into an appropriate vector; generating a PCR product containing art B sites through the use of specific primers; generating a cDNA library cloned into an appropriate vector containing att sites; and the like.

Folding, as used herein, refers to the three-dimensional structure of polypeptides and proteins, where interactions between amino acid residues act to stabilize the structure. While non-covalent interactions are important in determining structure, usually the proteins of interest will have intra- and/or intermolecular covalent disulfide bonds formed by two cysteine residues. For naturally occurring proteins and polypeptides or derivatives and variants thereof, the proper folding is typically the arrangement that results in optimal biological activity, and can conveniently be monitored by assays for activity, e.g. ligand binding, enzymatic activity, etc.

In some instances, for example where the desired product is of synthetic origin, assays based on biological activity will be less meaningful. The proper folding of such molecules may be determined on the basis of physical properties, energetic considerations, modeling studies, and the like.

The expression host may be further modified by the introduction of sequences encoding one or more enzymes that enhance folding and disulfide bond formation, i.e. foldases, chaperonins, etc. Such sequences may be constitutively or inducibly expressed in the yeast host cell, using vectors, markers, etc. as known in the art. Preferably the sequences, including transcriptional regulatory elements sufficient for the desired pattern of expression, are stably integrated in the yeast genome through a targeted methodology.

For example, the eukaryotic PDI is not only an efficient catalyst of protein cysteine oxidation and disulfide bond isomerization, but also exhibits chaperone activity. Co-expression of PDI can facilitate the production of active proteins having multiple disulfide bonds. Also of interest is the expression of BIP (immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein); cyclophilin; and the like. In one embodiment of the invention, each of the haploid parental strains expresses a distinct folding enzyme, e.g. one strain may express BIP, and the other strain may express PDI or combinations thereof.

The terms “desired protein” or “desired antibody” are used interchangeably and refer generally to a parent antibody specific to a target, i.e., NGF or a chimeric or humanized antibody or a binding portion thereof derived therefrom as described herein. The term “antibody” is intended to include any polypeptide chain-containing molecular structure with a specific shape that fits to and recognizes an epitope, where one or more non-covalent binding interactions stabilize the complex between the molecular structure and the epitope. The archetypal antibody molecule is the immunoglobulin, and all types of immunoglobulins, IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE, IgD, etc., from all sources, e.g. human, rodent, rabbit, cow, sheep, pig, dog, other mammals, chicken, other avians, etc., are considered to be “antibodies.” A preferred source for producing antibodies useful as starting material according to the invention is rabbits. Numerous antibody coding sequences have been described; and others may be raised by methods well-known in the art. Examples thereof include chimeric antibodies, human antibodies and other non-human mammalian antibodies, humanized antibodies, single chain antibodies (such as scFvs), camelbodies, nanobodies, MetMab like monovalent agents, IgNAR (single-chain antibodies derived from sharks), small-modular immunopharmaceuticals (SMIPs), and antibody fragments such as Fabs, Fab′, F(ab′)₂ and the like. See Streltsov V A, et al., Structure of a shark IgNAR antibody variable domain and modeling of an early-developmental isotype, Protein Sci. 2005 November; 14 (11):2901-9. Epub 2005 Sep. 30; Greenberg A S, et al., A new antigen receptor gene family that undergoes rearrangement and extensive somatic diversification in sharks, Nature. 1995 Mar. 9; 374 (6518):168-73; Nuttall S D, et al., Isolation of the new antigen receptor from wobbegong sharks, and use as a scaffold for the display of protein loop libraries, Mol. Immunol. 2001 August; 38 (4):313-26; Hamers-Casterman C, et al., Naturally occurring antibodies devoid of light chains, Nature. 1993 Jun. 3; 363 (6428):446-8; Gill D S, et al., Biopharmaceutical drug discovery using novel protein scaffolds, Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2006 December; 17 (6):653-8. Epub 2006 Oct. 19.

The present invention includes in particular includes monovalent antibody molecules that bind NGF, which are analogous to MetMab molecules. MetMab is a monovalent antibody specific to Met. (Met is a protein encoded by the nucleotide sequence set forth in Park et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 84, 7479-(1987), or fragments thereof, as well as related polypeptides, which include, but are not limited to, allelic variants, splice variants, derivative variants, substitution variants, deletion variants, and/or insertion variants, fusion polypeptides, and interspecies homologs). The MetMab antibody, is a monovalent antibody known by different names including OA-5d5 (Genentech) and is also called One Armed 5d5, 5d5, MetMab, PRO143966, among others). Antibody OA-5d5, including its structure and properties, and methods for making and using it, are described in U.S. Publication No. 2007/0092520. In one embodiment, an anti-NGF antibody according to the invention may comprise a single Fab region linked to an Fc region. In such embodiment, an antibody of the invention may comprise light and heavy chain variable domains as described herein. In such an embodiment, the antibody is monovalent and may comprise an intact Fc region. In another such embodiment, the Fc region may comprise at least one protuberance (knob) and at least one cavity (hole), wherein the presence of the protuberance and cavity enhances formation of a complex between an Fc polypeptide comprising the protuberance and an Fc polypeptide comprising the cavity, for example as described in WO 2005/063816. In one embodiment, the Fc region of an antibody of the invention may comprise a first and a second Fc polypeptide, wherein the first and second polypeptide each comprises one or more mutations with respect to wild type human Fc. In one embodiment, a cavity mutation is T366S, L368A and/or Y407V. In another embodiment, a protuberance mutation is T366W. In a specific embodiment, a monovalent antibody according to the subject invention may comprise a one-armed antibody synthesized as described in WO2005/063816. In such embodiment, the one-armed antibody may comprise Fc mutations constituting “knobs” and “holes” as described in WO2005/063816. For example, a hole mutation can be one or more of T366A, L368A and/or Y407V in an Fc polypeptide, and a cavity mutation can be T366W.

The invention is also directed to an anti-human NGF monovalent agent that binds with the same NGF epitope and/or competes with an anti-NGF antibody for binding to NGF as an antibody or antibody fragment disclosed herein, including but not limited to an anti-NGF antibody selected from Ab1, Ab2, Ab3, Ab4, Ab5, Ab6, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab11, Ab12, Ab13, Ab14, Ab15, Ab16, Ab17, Ab18, Ab19, Ab20 or Ab21.

For example, antibodies or antigen binding fragments may be produced by genetic engineering. In this technique, as with other methods, antibody-producing cells are sensitized to the desired antigen or immunogen. The messenger RNA isolated from antibody producing cells is used as a template to make cDNA using PCR amplification. A library of vectors, each containing one heavy chain gene and one light chain gene retaining the initial antigen specificity, is produced by insertion of appropriate sections of the amplified immunoglobulin cDNA into the expression vectors. A combinatorial library is constructed by combining the heavy chain gene library with the light chain gene library. This results in a library of clones which co-express a heavy and light chain (resembling the Fab fragment or antigen binding fragment of an antibody molecule). The vectors that carry these genes are co-transfected into a host cell. When antibody gene synthesis is induced in the transfected host, the heavy and light chain proteins self-assemble to produce active antibodies that can be detected by screening with the antigen or immunogen.

Antibody coding sequences of interest include those encoded by native sequences, as well as nucleic acids that, by virtue of the degeneracy of the genetic code, are not identical in sequence to the disclosed nucleic acids, and variants thereof. Variant polypeptides can include amino acid (aa) substitutions, additions or deletions. The amino acid substitutions can be conservative amino acid substitutions or substitutions to eliminate non-essential amino acids, such as to alter a glycosylation site, or to minimize misfolding by substitution or deletion of one or more cysteine residues that are not necessary for function. Variants can be designed so as to retain or have enhanced biological activity of a particular region of the protein (e.g., a functional domain, catalytic amino acid residues, etc). Variants also include fragments of the polypeptides disclosed herein, particularly biologically active fragments and/or fragments corresponding to functional domains. Techniques for in vitro mutagenesis of cloned genes are known. Also included in the subject invention are polypeptides that have been modified using ordinary molecular biological techniques so as to improve their resistance to proteolytic degradation or to optimize solubility properties or to render them more suitable as a therapeutic agent.

Chimeric antibodies herein broadly includes any antibody or antibody fragment produced by combining portions of one or more antibodies of the same or different species. containing. Typically chimeric antibodies comprise the variable regions of one non-human antibody and the constant regions of another human antibody. Chimeric antibodies herein further include humanized antibodies, as humanized antibodies comprise a portion of at least one human antibody and a portion of a non-human antibody, i.e., they typically comprise the CDRs of a non-human antibody and all or most of the framework residues of a human antibody. Therefore, humanized and chimericantibodies are sometimes referred to interchangeably herein. Chimeric antibodies may be made by recombinant means by combining the variable light and heavy chain regions (V_(L) and V_(H)), obtained from antibody producing cells of one species with the constant light and heavy chain regions from another. Typically chimeric antibodies utilize rodent or rabbit variable regions and human constant regions, in order to produce an antibody with predominantly human domains. The production of such chimeric antibodies is well known in the art, and may be achieved by standard means (as described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,659, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). It is further contemplated that the human constant regions of chimeric antibodies of the invention may be selected from IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgG5, IgG6, IgG7, IgG8, IgG9, IgG10, IgG11, IgG12, IgG13, IgG14, IgG15, IgG16, IgG17, IgG18 or IgG19 constant regions.

Humanized antibodies are engineered to contain even more human-like immunoglobulin domains, and incorporate only the complementarity-determining regions of the animal-derived antibody. This is accomplished by carefully examining the sequence of the hyper-variable loops of the variable regions of the monoclonal antibody, and fitting them to the structure of the human antibody chains. Although facially complex, the process is straightforward in practice. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,187,287, incorporated fully herein by reference.

In addition to entire immunoglobulins (or their recombinant counterparts), immunoglobulin fragments comprising the epitope binding site (e.g., Fab′, F(ab′)₂, or other fragments) may be synthesized. “Fragment,” or minimal immunoglobulins may be designed utilizing recombinant immunoglobulin techniques. For instance “Fv” immunoglobulins for use in the present invention may be produced by synthesizing a fused variable light chain region and a variable heavy chain region. Combinations of antibodies are also of interest, e.g. diabodies, which comprise two distinct Fv specificities. In another embodiment of the invention, SMIPs (small molecule immunopharmaceuticals), camelbodies, nanobodies, MetMab like monovalent agents, and IgNAR are encompassed by immunoglobulin fragments.

Immunoglobulins and fragments thereof may be modified post-translationally, e.g. to add effector moieties such as chemical linkers, detectable moieties, such as fluorescent dyes, enzymes, toxins, substrates, bioluminescent materials, radioactive materials, chemiluminescent moieties and the like, or specific binding moieties, such as streptavidin, avidin, or biotin, and the like may be utilized in the methods and compositions of the present invention. Examples of additional effector molecules are provided infra.

A polynucleotide sequence “corresponds” to a polypeptide sequence if translation of the polynucleotide sequence in accordance with the genetic code yields the polypeptide sequence (i.e., the polynucleotide sequence “encodes” the polypeptide sequence), one polynucleotide sequence “corresponds” to another polynucleotide sequence if the two sequences encode the same polypeptide sequence.

A “heterologous” region or domain of a DNA construct is an identifiable segment of DNA within a larger DNA molecule that is not found in association with the larger molecule in nature. Thus, when the heterologous region encodes a mammalian gene, the gene will usually be flanked by DNA that does not flank the mammalian genomic DNA in the genome of the source organism. Another example of a heterologous region is a construct where the coding sequence itself is not found in nature (e.g., a cDNA where the genomic coding sequence contains introns, or synthetic sequences having codons different than the native gene). Allelic variations or naturally-occurring mutational events do not give rise to a heterologous region of DNA as defined herein.

A “coding sequence” is an in-frame sequence of codons that (in view of the genetic code) correspond to or encode a protein or peptide sequence. Two coding sequences correspond to each other if the sequences or their complementary sequences encode the same amino acid sequences. A coding sequence in association with appropriate regulatory sequences may be transcribed and translated into a polypeptide. A polyadenylation signal and transcription termination sequence will usually be located 3′ to the coding sequence. A “promoter sequence” is a DNA regulatory region capable of binding RNA polymerase in a cell and initiating transcription of a downstream (3′ direction) coding sequence. Promoter sequences typically contain additional sites for binding of regulatory molecules (e.g., transcription factors) which affect the transcription of the coding sequence. A coding sequence is “under the control” of the promoter sequence or “operatively linked” to the promoter when RNA polymerase binds the promoter sequence in a cell and transcribes the coding sequence into mRNA, which is then in turn translated into the protein encoded by the coding sequence.

Vectors are used to introduce a foreign substance, such as DNA, RNA or protein, into an organism or host cell. Typical vectors include recombinant viruses (for polynucleotides) and liposomes (for polypeptides). A “DNA vector” is a replicon, such as plasmid, phage or cosmid, to which another polynucleotide segment may be attached so as to bring about the replication of the attached segment. An “expression vector” is a DNA vector which contains regulatory sequences which will direct polypeptide synthesis by an appropriate host cell. This usually means a promoter to bind RNA polymerase and initiate transcription of mRNA, as well as ribosome binding sites and initiation signals to direct translation of the mRNA into a polypeptide(s). Incorporation of a polynucleotide sequence into an expression vector at the proper site and in correct reading frame, followed by transformation of an appropriate host cell by the vector, enables the production of a polypeptide encoded by said polynucleotide sequence.

“Amplification” of polynucleotide sequences is the in vitro production of multiple copies of a particular nucleic acid sequence. The amplified sequence is usually in the form of DNA. A variety of techniques for carrying out such amplification are described in a review article by Van Brunt (1990, Bio/Technol., 8 (4):291-294). Polymerase chain reaction or PCR is a prototype of nucleic acid amplification, and use of PCR herein should be considered exemplary of other suitable amplification techniques.

The general structure of antibodies in vertebrates now is well understood (Edelman, G. M., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 190: 5 (1971)). Antibodies consist of two identical light polypeptide chains of molecular weight approximately 23,000 daltons (the “light chain”), and two identical heavy chains of molecular weight 53,000-70,000 (the “heavy chain”). The four chains are joined by disulfide bonds in a “Y” configuration wherein the light chains bracket the heavy chains starting at the mouth of the “Y” configuration. The “branch” portion of the “Y” configuration is designated the F_(ab) region; the stem portion of the “Y” configuration is designated the Fc region. The amino acid sequence orientation runs from the N-terminal end at the top of the “Y” configuration to the C-terminal end at the bottom of each chain. The N-terminal end possesses the variable region having specificity for the antigen that elicited it, and is approximately 100 amino acids in length, there being slight variations between light and heavy chain and from antibody to antibody.

The variable region is linked in each chain to a constant region that extends the remaining length of the chain and that within a particular class of antibody does not vary with the specificity of the antibody (i.e., the antigen eliciting it). There are five known major classes of constant regions that determine the class of the immunoglobulin molecule (IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD, and IgE corresponding to γ, μ, α, δ, and ε (gamma, mu, alpha, delta, or epsilon) heavy chain constant regions). The constant region or class determines subsequent effector function of the antibody, including activation of complement (Kabat, E. A., Structural Concepts in Immunology and Immunochemistry, 2nd Ed., p. 413-436, Holt, Rinehart, Winston (1976)), and other cellular responses (Andrews, D. W., et al., Clinical Immunobiology, pp 1-18, W. B. Sanders (1980); Kohl, S., et al., Immunology, 48: 187 (1983)); while the variable region determines the antigen with which it will react. Light chains are classified as either κ (kappa) or λ (lambda). Each heavy chain class can be prepared with either kappa or lambda light chain. The light and heavy chains are covalently bonded to each other, and the “tail” portions of the two heavy chains are bonded to each other by covalent disulfide linkages when the immunoglobulins are generated either by hybridomas or by B cells.

The expression “variable region” or “VR” refers to the domains within each pair of light and heavy chains in an antibody that are involved directly in binding the antibody to the antigen. Each heavy chain has at one end a variable domain (V_(H)) followed by a number of constant domains. Each light chain has a variable domain (V_(L)) at one end and a constant domain at its other end; the constant domain of the light chain is aligned with the first constant domain of the heavy chain, and the light chain variable domain is aligned with the variable domain of the heavy chain.

The expressions “complementarity determining region,” “hypervariable region,” or “CDR” refer to one or more of the hyper-variable or complementarity determining regions (CDRs) found in the variable regions of light or heavy chains of an antibody (See Kabat, E. A. et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., (1987)). These expressions include the hypervariable regions as defined by Kabat et al. (“Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest,” Kabat E., et al., US Dept. of Health and Human Services, 1983) or the hypervariable loops in 3-dimensional structures of antibodies (Chothia and Lesk, J. Mol. Biol. 196 901-917 (1987)). The CDRs in each chain are held in close proximity by framework regions and, with the CDRs from the other chain, contribute to the formation of the antigen binding site. Within the CDRs there are select amino acids that have been described as the selectivity determining regions (SDRs) which represent the critical contact residues used by the CDR in the antibody-antigen interaction (Kashmiri, S., Methods, 36:25-34 (2005)).

The expressions “framework region” or “FR” refer to one or more of the framework regions within the variable regions of the light and heavy chains of an antibody (See Kabat, E. A. et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., (1987)). These expressions include those amino acid sequence regions interposed between the CDRs within the variable regions of the light and heavy chains of an antibody.

Anti-NGF Antibodies and Binding Fragments Thereof Having Binding Activity for NGF

Antibody Ab1

The invention provides novel anti-NGF antibodies and antibody fragments and compositions containing, that specifically bind NGF which inhibit the association of NGF with TrkA and further inhibit the association of NGF with p75. These novel antibodies and antibody fragments are e.g., suitable for detecting NGF, and for treating pain and pain-associated disorders and conditions, e.g., pain associated with inflammation, cancer, specific pain and inflammation associated disorders, especially pain-associated disorders associated with elevated NGF levels, and may be administered alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., another biologic, an NSAID or opioid analgesic. In one embodiment, the invention includes chimeric antibodies having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 1) ALVMTQTPSSVSAAVGGTVTINCQASQNIYSNLAWYQQRPGQRPKLLIYG ASNLDAGVPSRFRGSGSGTEYTLTISDLECDDVGTYYCQSAFDSDSTENT FGGGTEVVVKR.

The invention particularly contemplates antibodies and fragments suitable for treating inflammation, pain and the specific pain associated disorders alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., an NSAID or opioid analgesic, wherein the antibodies include chimeric antibodies having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 2) ALVMTQTPSSVSAAVGGTVTINCQASQNIYSNLAWYQQRPGQRPKLLIYG ASNLDAGVPSRFRGSGSGTEYTLTISDLECDDVGTYYCQSAFDSDSTENT FGGGTEVVVKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQ WKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVT HQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC.

The invention particularly contemplates antibodies and fragments suitable for treating inflammation, pain and the specific pain associated disorders alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., an NSAID or opioid analgesic, wherein the antibodies include chimeric antibodies having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 3) QSLEESGGRLVTPGTPLTLTCTVSGFSLSSYAMSWVRQAPGKGLEWIGVI TSIGSTVYASWAKGRFTISKTSTTVDLKITSPTTEDTATYFCARGYDDYD EMTYFNIWGQGTLVTVSS.

The invention particularly contemplates antibodies and fragments suitable for treating inflammation, pain and the specific pain associated disorders alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., an NSAID or opioid analgesic, wherein the antibodies include chimeric antibodies having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 4) QSLEESGGRLVTPGTPLTLTCTVSGFSLSSYAMSWVRQAPGKGLEWIGVI TSIGSTVYASWAKGRFTISKTSTTVDLKITSPTTEDTATYFCARGYDDYD EMTYFNIWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDY FPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYI CNVNHKPSNTKVDKRVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKD TLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYAST YRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVY TLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLD SDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK.

The invention particularly contemplates antibodies and fragments suitable for treating inflammation, pain and the specific pain associated disorders alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., an NSAID or opioid analgesic, wherein the antibodies comprise one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 5; SEQ ID NO: 6; and SEQ ID NO: 7 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 8; SEQ ID NO: 9; and SEQ ID NO: 10 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences. In another embodiment of the invention, the antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof comprise, or alternatively consist of, combinations of one or more of the CDRs, the variable heavy and variable light chain sequences, and the heavy and light chain sequences set forth above, including all of them.

The invention particularly contemplates antibodies and fragments suitable for treating pain and specific pain or inflammation associated disorders alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., an NSAID or opioid analgesic, wherein the antibody is a fragment having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 4.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 5; SEQ ID NO: 6; and SEQ ID NO: 7 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.

The invention particularly contemplates antibodies and fragments suitable for treating inflammation, pain and the specific pain associated disorders alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., an NSAID or opioid analgesic, wherein the antibodies include fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 8; SEQ ID NO: 9; and SEQ ID NO: 10 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4.

The invention also contemplates antibody fragments which include one or more of the antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 1; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 3; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 5; SEQ ID NO: 6; and SEQ ID NO: 7) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 1; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 8; SEQ ID NO: 9; and SEQ ID NO: 10) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 3.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the chimeric anti-NGF antibody is Ab1, comprising, or alternatively consisting of, SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 4, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments for use herein comprise, or alternatively consist of, Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF and monovalent antibody molecules analogous to MetMab. With respect to antibody Ab1, the Fab fragment includes the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. This embodiment of the invention further contemplates additions, deletions, and variants of SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or SEQ ID NO: 3 in said Fab while retaining binding specificity for NGF.

In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab1. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab1 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, plant cells, transgenic plants or animals, or microbial systems such as bacterial or yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab2

The invention provides novel anti-NGF antibodies and antibody fragments and compositions containing, that specifically bind NGF which inhibit the association of NGF with TrkA and the association of NGF with p75. These novel antibodies and antibody fragments are e.g., suitable for detecting NGF, and for treating pain and pain-associated disorders and conditions, e.g., pain associated with inflammation, cancer, specific pain and inflammation associated disorders, especially pain-associated disorders associated with elevated NGF levels, and may be administered alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., another biologic, an NSAID or opioid analgesic. In one embodiment, the invention includes chimeric or humanized antibodies having binding specificity to NGF wherein the antibody is antibody Ab2 or fragments thereof, for example as set forth below, in a therapeutically effective amount which inhibits the association of NGF with TrkA and further inhibits the association of NGF with p75. In one embodiment, the invention includes chimeric or humanized antibodies having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 11) DIQMTQSPSTLSASVGDRVTITCQASQNIYSNLAWYQQKPGKAPKLLIYG ASNLDAGVPSRFSGSGSGTEYTLTISSLQPDDFATYYCQSAFDSDSTENT FGGGTKVEIKR.

The invention also includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 12) DIQMTQSPSTLSASVGDRVTITCQASQNIYSNLAWYQQKPGKAPKLLIYG ASNLDAGVPSRFSGSGSGTEYTLTISSLQPDDFATYYCQSAFDSDSTENT FGGGTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQ WKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVT HQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC.

The invention further includes chimeric or humanized antibodies having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of inflammation, pain and pain associated conditions and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 13) EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTVSSYAMSWVRQAPGKGLEWVGV ITSIGSTVYASSAKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCARGYD DYDEMTYFNIWGQGTLVTVSS.

The invention also includes chimeric or humanized antibodies having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of inflammation, pain and pain associated conditions and possessing a heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 14) EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTVSSYAMSWVRQAPGKGLEWVGV ITSIGSTVYASSAKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCARGYD DYDEMTYFNIWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLV KDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQ TYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKRVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPK PKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQY ASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREP QVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPP VLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLS PGK.

The invention further contemplates antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain, inflammation and pain associated conditions comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 15; SEQ ID NO: 16; and SEQ ID NO: 17 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 18; SEQ ID NO: 19; and SEQ ID NO: 20 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences. In another embodiment of the invention, the antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof comprise, or alternatively consist of, combinations of one or more of the CDRs, the variable heavy and variable light chain sequences, and the heavy and light chain sequences set forth above, including all of them.

The invention also contemplates fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions. In one embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11 or SEQ ID NO: 12. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13 or SEQ ID NO: 14.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF, e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 15; SEQ ID NO: 16; and SEQ ID NO: 17 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF, e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 18; SEQ ID NO: 19; and SEQ ID NO: 20 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14.

The invention also contemplates antibody fragments which include one or more of the antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 11; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 13; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 15; SEQ ID NO: 16; and SEQ ID NO: 17) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 11; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 18; SEQ ID NO: 19; and SEQ ID NO: 20) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 13.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the chimeric or humanized anti-NGF antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions is Ab2, comprising, or alternatively consisting of, SEQ ID NO: 12 and SEQ ID NO: 14, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF and monovalent antibody molecules analogous to MetMab. With respect to antibody Ab2, the Fab fragment includes the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11 and the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13. This embodiment of the invention further contemplates additions, deletions, and variants of SEQ ID NO: 11 and/or SEQ ID NO: 13 in said Fab while retaining binding specificity for NGF.

In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab2. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab2 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, plant cells, transgenic plants or animals, or microbial systems such as bacterial or yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab3

The invention provides novel anti-NGF antibodies and antibody fragments and compositions containing, that specifically bind NGF which inhibit the association of NGF with TrkA and which do not appreciably inhibit the association of NGF with p75. These novel antibodies and antibody fragments are e.g., suitable for detecting NGF, and for treating pain and pain-associated disorders and conditions, e.g., pain associated with inflammation, cancer, specific pain and inflammation associated disorders, especially pain-associated disorders associated with elevated NGF levels, and may be administered alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., another biologic, an NSAID or opioid analgesic. In one embodiment, the invention includes chimeric antibodies having binding specificity to NGF wherein the antibody is Ab3 or fragments thereof, for example as set forth below, in a therapeutically effective amount which inhibits the association of NGF with TrkA without appreciably inhibiting the association of NGF with p75. In one embodiment, the invention includes chimeric antibodies having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 21) AVLTQTPSPVSAAMGDTVTIKCQSSQSVYKNNYLSWYQQKPGQPPRLLIY DASNLPSGVPSRFSGSGSGTQFTLTISGVQCDDAATYYCLGDYDDDADNA FGGGTEVVVKR.

The invention also includes chimeric antibodies, e.g., e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 22) AVLTQTPSPVSAAMGDTVTIKCQSSQSVYKNNYLSWYQQKPGQPPRLLIY DASNLPSGVPSRFSGSGSGTQFTLTISGVQCDDAATYYCLGDYDDDADNA FGGGTEVVVKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQ WKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVT HQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC.

The invention further includes chimeric antibodies e.g., e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 23) QSVEESGGRLVTPGTPLTLTCTVSGFSLSSYVMIWVRQAPGKGLEYIGIT WSAGTYYASWAKGRFTISKTSSTTVDLKITSPTTEDTATYFCAGGGGSIY DIWGPGTLVTVSS.

The invention also includes chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 24) QSVEESGGRLVTPGTPLTLTCTVSGFSLSSYVMIWVRQAPGKGLEYIGIT WSAGTYYASWAKGRFTISKTSSTTVDLKITSPTTEDTATYFCAGGGGSIY DIWGPGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPV TVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNH KPSNTKVDKRVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMIS RTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYASTYRVVS VLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPS REEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSF FLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK.

The invention further contemplates antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 25; SEQ ID NO: 26; and SEQ ID NO: 27 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 28; SEQ ID NO: 29; and SEQ ID NO: 30 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences. In another embodiment of the invention, the antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof comprise, or alternatively consist of, combinations of one or more of the CDRs, the variable heavy and variable light chain sequences, and the heavy and light chain sequences set forth above, including all of them.

The invention also contemplates fragments of the antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21 or SEQ ID NO: 22. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23 or SEQ ID NO: 24.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 25; SEQ ID NO: 26; and SEQ ID NO: 27 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 28; SEQ ID NO: 29; and SEQ ID NO: 30 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24.

The invention also contemplates antibody fragments which include one or more of the antibody fragments described herein e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions. In one embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 21; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 23; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 25; SEQ ID NO: 26; and SEQ ID NO: 27) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 21; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 28; SEQ ID NO: 29; and SEQ ID NO: 30) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 23.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the chimeric anti-NGF antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions is Ab3, comprising, or alternatively consisting of, SEQ ID NO: 22 and SEQ ID NO: 24, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF and monovalent antibody molecules analogous to MetMab. With respect to antibody Ab3, the Fab fragment includes the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21 and the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23. This embodiment of the invention further contemplates additions, deletions, and variants of SEQ ID NO: 21 and/or SEQ ID NO: 23 in said Fab while retaining binding specificity for NGF.

In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab3. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab3 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, plant cells, transgenic plants or animals, or microbial systems such as bacterial or yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab4

The invention provides novel anti-NGF antibodies and antibody fragments and compositions containing, that specifically bind NGF which inhibit the association of NGF with TrkA and which do not appreciably inhibit the association of NGF with p75. These novel antibodies and antibody fragments are e.g., suitable for detecting NGF, and for treating pain and pain-associated disorders and conditions, e.g., pain associated with inflammation, cancer, specific pain and inflammation associated disorders, especially pain-associated disorders associated with elevated NGF levels, and may be administered alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., another biologic, an NSAID or opioid analgesic. In one embodiment, the invention provides chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 31) DIQMTQSPSTLSASVGDRVTITCQSSQSVYKNNYLSWYQQKPGKAPKLLI YDASNLPSGVPSRFSGSGSGTEFTLTISSLQPDDFATYYCLGDYDDDADN AFGGGTKVEIKR.

The invention also includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 32) DIQMTQSPSTLSASVGDRVTITCQSSQSVYKNNYLSWYQQKPGKAPKLLI YDASNLPSGVPSRFSGSGSGTEFTLTISSLQPDDFATYYCLGDYDDDADN AFGGGTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKV QWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEV THQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC.

The invention further includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 33) EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTVSSYVMIWVRQAPGKGLEYIGI TWSAGTYYASSAKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCAGGGGS IYDIWGQGTLVTVSS.

The invention also includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 34) EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTVSSYVMIWVRQAPGKGLEYIGI TWSAGTYYASSAKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCAGGGGS IYDIWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPE PVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNV NHKPSNTKVDKRVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLM ISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYASTYRV VSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLP PSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDG SFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK.

The invention further contemplates antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 35; SEQ ID NO: 36; and SEQ ID NO: 37 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 38; SEQ ID NO: 39; and SEQ ID NO: 40 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences. In another embodiment of the invention, the antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof comprise, or alternatively consist of, combinations of one or more of the CDRs, the variable heavy and variable light chain sequences, and the heavy and light chain sequences set forth above, including all of them.

The invention also contemplates fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions. In one embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31 or SEQ ID NO: 32. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33 or SEQ ID NO: 34.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 35; SEQ ID NO: 36; and SEQ ID NO: 37 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 38; SEQ ID NO: 39; and SEQ ID NO: 40 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34.

The invention also contemplates antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions which include one or more of the antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 31; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 33; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 35; SEQ ID NO: 36; and SEQ ID NO: 37) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 31; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 38; SEQ ID NO: 39; and SEQ ID NO: 40) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 33.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the chimeric or humanized anti-NGF antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions is Ab4, comprising, or alternatively consisting of, SEQ ID NO: 32 and SEQ ID NO: 34, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF and monovalent antibody molecules analogous to MetMab. With respect to antibody Ab4, the Fab fragment includes the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31 and the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33. This embodiment of the invention further contemplates additions, deletions, and variants of SEQ ID NO: 31 and/or SEQ ID NO: 33 in said Fab while retaining binding specificity for NGF.

In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab4. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab4 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, plant cells, transgenic plants or animals, or microbial systems such as bacterial or yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab5

The invention provides novel anti-NGF antibodies and antibody fragments and compositions containing, that specifically bind NGF which further inhibit the association of NGF with TrkA and which further inhibit the association of NGF with p75. These novel antibodies and antibody fragments are e.g., suitable for detecting NGF, and for treating pain and pain-associated disorders and conditions, e.g., pain associated with inflammation, cancer, specific pain and inflammation associated disorders, especially pain-associated disorders associated with elevated NGF levels, and may be administered alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., another biologic, an NSAID or opioid analgesic. In one embodiment, the invention includes chimeric antibodies having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 41) AYDMTQTPASVEVAVGGTVTIKCQASQSIYSNLAWYQQRPGQPPKLLIYD ASTLESGVPSRFKGSGSGTEYTLTISGVECADAASYYCQQGFTVSDIDNA FGGGTEVVVKR.

The invention also includes chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 42) AYDMTQTPASVEVAVGGTVTIKCQASQSIYSNLAWYQQRPGQPPKLLIYD ASTLESGVPSRFKGSGSGTEYTLTISGVECADAASYYCQQGFTVSDIDNA FGGGTEVVVKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQ WKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVT HQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC.

The invention further includes chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 43) QSVEESGGRLVTPGTPLTLTCTVSGFSLSNYAVGWVRQAPGKGLEWIGII GRNGNTWYASWARGRFTISKTSTTVDLKITSPTSEDTATYFCARGYGRSV AYYVFNIWGPGTLVTVSS.

The invention also includes chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 44) QSVEESGGRLVTPGTPLTLTCTVSGFSLSNYAVGWVRQAPGKGLEWIGII GRNGNTWYASWARGRFTISKTSTTVDLKITSPTSEDTATYFCARGYGRSV AYYVFNIWGPGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDY FPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYI CNVNHKPSNTKVDKRVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKD TLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYAST YRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVY TLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLD SDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK.

The invention further contemplates antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 45; SEQ ID NO: 46; and SEQ ID NO: 47 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 48; SEQ ID NO: 49; and SEQ ID NO: 50 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences. In another embodiment of the invention, the antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof comprise, or alternatively consist of, combinations of one or more of the CDRs, the variable heavy and variable light chain sequences, and the heavy and light chain sequences set forth above, including all of them.

The invention also contemplates fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions. In one embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41 or SEQ ID NO: 42. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43 or SEQ ID NO: 44.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 45; SEQ ID NO: 46; and SEQ ID NO: 47 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 48; SEQ ID NO: 49; and SEQ ID NO: 50 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44.

The invention also contemplates antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions which include one or more of the antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 41; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 43; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 45; SEQ ID NO: 46; and SEQ ID NO: 47) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 41; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 48; SEQ ID NO: 49; and SEQ ID NO: 50) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 43.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the included chimeric anti-NGF antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions is Ab5, comprising, or alternatively consisting of, SEQ ID NO: 42 and SEQ ID NO: 44, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF and monovalent antibody molecules analogous to MetMab. With respect to antibody Ab5, the Fab fragment includes the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41 and the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43. This embodiment of the invention further contemplates additions, deletions, and variants of SEQ ID NO: 41 and/or SEQ ID NO: 43 in said Fab while retaining binding specificity for NGF.

In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab5. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab5 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, plants, animals, or microbial systems such as bacterial or yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab6

The invention provides novel anti-NGF antibodies and antibody fragments and compositions containing, that specifically bind NGF which inhibit the association of NGF with TrkA and which further inhibit the association of NGF with p75. These novel antibodies and antibody fragments are e.g., suitable for detecting NGF, and for treating pain and pain-associated disorders and conditions, e.g., pain associated with inflammation, cancer, specific pain and inflammation associated disorders, especially pain-associated disorders associated with elevated NGF levels, and may be administered alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., another biologic, an NSAID or opioid analgesic. In one embodiment, the invention includes chimeric or humanized antibodies having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 51) DIQMTQSPSTLSASVGDRVTITCQASQSIYSNLAWYQQKPGKAPKLLIYD ASTLESGVPSRFSGSGSGTEYTLTISSLQPDDFATYYCQQGFTVSDIDNA FGGGTKVEIKR.

The invention also includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 52) DIQMTQSPSTLSASVGDRVTITCQASQSIYSNLAWYQQKPGKAPKLLIYD ASTLESGVPSRFSGSGSGTEYTLTISSLQPDDFATYYCQQGFTVSDIDNA FGGGTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQ WKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVT HQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC.

The invention further includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 53) EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTVSNYAVGWVRQAPGKGLEWVGI IGRNGNTWYASSARGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCARGYG RSVAYYVFNIWGPGTLVTVSS.

The invention also includes chimeric antibodies or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 54) EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTVSNYAVGWVRQAPGKGLEWVGI IGRNGNTWYASSARGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCARGYG RSVAYYVFNIWGPGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLV KDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQ TYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKRVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPK PKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQY ASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREP QVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPP VLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPG K.

The invention further contemplates antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 55; SEQ ID NO: 56; and SEQ ID NO: 57 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 58; SEQ ID NO: 59; and SEQ ID NO: 60 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences. In another embodiment of the invention, the antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof comprise, or alternatively consist of, combinations of one or more of the CDRs, the variable heavy and variable light chain sequences, and the heavy and light chain sequences set forth above, including all of them.

The invention also contemplates fragments of the antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51 or SEQ ID NO: 52. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53 or SEQ ID NO: 54.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 55; SEQ ID NO: 56; and SEQ ID NO: 57 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 58; SEQ ID NO: 59; and SEQ ID NO: 60 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54.

The invention also contemplates antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions which include one or more of the antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 51; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 53; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 55; SEQ ID NO: 56; and SEQ ID NO: 57) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 51; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 58; SEQ ID NO: 59; and SEQ ID NO: 60) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 53.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the anti-NGF antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions is Ab6, comprising, or alternatively consisting of, SEQ ID NO: 52 and SEQ ID NO: 54, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF and monovalent antibody molecules analogous to MetMab. With respect to antibody Ab6, the Fab fragment includes the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51 and the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53. This embodiment of the invention further contemplates additions, deletions, and variants of SEQ ID NO: 51 and/or SEQ ID NO: 53 in said Fab while retaining binding specificity for NGF.

In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab6. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab6 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab7

The invention provides novel anti-NGF antibodies and antibody fragments and compositions containing, that specifically bind NGF which inhibit the association of NGF with TrkA and which further inhibit the association of NGF with p75. These novel antibodies and antibody fragments are e.g., suitable for detecting NGF, and for treating pain and pain-associated disorders and conditions, e.g., pain associated with inflammation, cancer, specific pain and inflammation associated disorders, especially pain-associated disorders associated with elevated NGF levels, and may be administered alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., another biologic, an NSAID or opioid analgesic. In one embodiment, the invention includes chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 61) ADVVMTQTPASVSQPVGGTVTIKCQASEDIYNLLAWYQQKPGQPPKLLIY SASTLASGVPSRFKGSGSGTEYTLTISGLECADAATYYCQNNYLVTTYGV AFGGGTEVVVKR.

The invention also includes chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 62) ADVVMTQTPASVSQPVGGTVTIKCQASEDIYNLLAWYQQKPGQPPKLLI YSASTLASGVPSRFKGSGSGTEYTLTISGLECADAATYYCQNNYLVTTY GVAFGGGTEVVVKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPRE AKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVY ACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC.

The invention further includes chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 63) QEQLKESGGRLVTPGTPLTLTCTVSGFSLSSYAMIWVRQAPGKGLEYIG YIDTDTSAYYASWVKGRFTISRTSTTVDLKITSPTTEDTATYFCARSYA AYGGYPATFDPWGPGTLVTVSS.

The invention also includes chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 64) QEQLKESGGRLVTPGTPLTLTCTVSGFSLSSYAMIWVRQAPGKGLEYIG YIDTDTSAYYASWVKGRFTISRTSTTVDLKITSPTTEDTATYFCARSYA AYGGYPATFDPWGPGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGC LVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSL GTQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKRVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFL FPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKP REEQYASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAK GQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPEN NYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQ KSLSLSPGK.

The invention further contemplates antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 65; SEQ ID NO: 66; and SEQ ID NO: 67 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 61 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 62, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 68; SEQ ID NO: 69; and SEQ ID NO: 70 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences. In another embodiment of the invention, the antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof comprise, or alternatively consist of, combinations of one or more of the CDRs, the variable heavy and variable light chain sequences, and the heavy and light chain sequences set forth above, including all of them.

The invention also contemplates fragments of the antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 61 or SEQ ID NO: 62. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63 or SEQ ID NO: 64.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 65; SEQ ID NO: 66; and SEQ ID NO: 67 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 61 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 62.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 68; SEQ ID NO: 69; and SEQ ID NO: 70 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64.

The invention also contemplates antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions which include one or more of the antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 61; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 63; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 65; SEQ ID NO: 66; and SEQ ID NO: 67) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 61; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 68; SEQ ID NO: 69; and SEQ ID NO: 70) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 63.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the chimeric anti-NGF antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions is Ab7, comprising, or alternatively consisting of, SEQ ID NO: 62 and SEQ ID NO: 64, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF and monovalent antibody molecules analogous to MetMab. With respect to antibody Ab7, the Fab fragment includes the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 61 and the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63. This embodiment of the invention further contemplates additions, deletions, and variants of SEQ ID NO: 61 and/or SEQ ID NO: 63 in said Fab while retaining binding specificity for NGF.

In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab7. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab7 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, plant cells, transgenic plants or animals, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab8

The invention provides novel anti-NGF antibodies and antibody fragments and compositions containing, that specifically bind NGF which further inhibit the association of NGF with TrkA and which further inhibit the association of NGF with p75. These novel antibodies and antibody fragments are e.g., suitable for detecting NGF, and for treating pain and pain-associated disorders and conditions, e.g., pain associated with inflammation, cancer, specific pain and inflammation associated disorders, especially pain-associated disorders associated with elevated NGF levels, and may be administered alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., another biologic, an NSAID or opioid analgesic. In one embodiment, the invention includes humanized or chimeric antibodies having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 71) DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCQASEDIYNLLAWYQQKPGKVPKLLIY SASTLASGVPSRFSGSGSGTDYTLTISSLQPEDVATYYCQNNYLVTTYG VAFGGGTKVEIKR.

The invention also includes humanized or chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 72) DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCQASEDIYNLLAWYQQKPGKVPKLLIY SASTLASGVPSRFSGSGSGTDYTLTISSLQPEDVATYYCQNNYLVTTYG VAFGGGTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREA KVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYA CEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC.

The invention further includes humanized or chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 73) QVQLVESGGGVVQPGRSLRLSCAASGFTFSSYAMIWVRQAPGKGLEYIG YIDTDTSAYYASSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMSSLRAEDTAVYYCARS YAAYGGYPATFDPWGQGTLVTVSS.

The invention also includes humanized or chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 74) QVQLVESGGGVVQPGRSLRLSCAASGFTFSSYAMIWVRQAPGKGLEYIG YIDTDTSAYYASSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMSSLRAEDTAVYYCARS YAAYGGYPATFDPWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAAL GCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSS SLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKRVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSV FLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKT KPREEQYASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISK AKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQP ENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHY TQKSLSLSPGK.

The invention further contemplates antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 75; SEQ ID NO: 76; and SEQ ID NO: 77 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 72, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 78; SEQ ID NO: 79; and SEQ ID NO: 80 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences. In another embodiment of the invention, the antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof comprise, or alternatively consist of, combinations of one or more of the CDRs, the variable heavy and variable light chain sequences, and the heavy and light chain sequences set forth above, including all of them.

The invention also contemplates fragments of the antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71 or SEQ ID NO: 72. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 or SEQ ID NO: 74.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 75; SEQ ID NO: 76; and SEQ ID NO: 77 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 72.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 78; SEQ ID NO: 79; and SEQ ID NO: 80 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74.

The invention also contemplates antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions which include one or more of the antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 71; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 73; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 75; SEQ ID NO: 76; and SEQ ID NO: 77) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 71; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 78; SEQ ID NO: 79; and SEQ ID NO: 80) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 73.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the anti-NGF antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions is chimeric or humanized Ab8, comprising, or alternatively consisting of, SEQ ID NO: 72 and SEQ ID NO: 74, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF and monovalent antibody molecules analogous to MetMab. With respect to antibody Ab8, the Fab fragment includes the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71 and the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73. This embodiment of the invention further contemplates additions, deletions, and variants of SEQ ID NO: 71 and/or SEQ ID NO: 73 in said Fab while retaining binding specificity for NGF.

In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab8. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab8 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, plant cell, transgenic plant or animal or microbial systems such as bacterial yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab9

The invention provides novel anti-NGF antibodies and antibody fragments and compositions containing, that specifically bind NGF which inhibit the association of NGF with TrkA and which further inhibit the association of NGF with p75. These novel antibodies and antibody fragments are e.g., suitable for detecting NGF, and for treating pain and pain-associated disorders and conditions, e.g., pain associated with inflammation, cancer, specific pain and inflammation associated disorders, especially pain-associated disorders associated with elevated NGF levels, and may be administered alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., another biologic, an NSAID or opioid analgesic. In one embodiment, the invention chimeric antibodies having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 81) AYDMTQTPASVSAAVGGTVTIKCQASENIGSYLAWYQQKPGQPPELLIY RASTLASGVPSRFKGSGSGTQFTLTISGVECADAATYYCQQGYNSENLD NAFGGGTEVVVKR.

The invention also includes chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 82) AYDMTQTPASVSAAVGGTVTIKCQASENIGSYLAWYQQKPGQPPELLIY RASTLASGVPSRFKGSGSGTQFTLTISGVECADAATYYCQQGYNSENLD NAFGGGTEVVVKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREA KVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYA CEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC.

The invention further includes chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 83) QSVEESGGRLVTPGTPLTLTCTVSGIDLSMYSMGWVRQAPGKGLEYIGW ISYGGTAYYASWAKGRFTISKTSTTVELKITSPTIEDTATYFCARETPV NYYLDIWGQGTLVTVSS.

The invention also includes chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 84) QSVEESGGRLVTPGTPLTLTCTVSGIDLSMYSMGWVRQAPGKGLEYIGW ISYGGTAYYASWAKGRFTISKTSTTVELKITSPTIEDTATYFCARETPV NYYLDIWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDY FPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTY ICNVNHKPSNTKVDKRVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKP KDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQY ASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPRE PQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTT PPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSL SPGK.

The invention further contemplates antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 85; SEQ ID NO: 86; and SEQ ID NO: 87 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 81 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 82, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 88; SEQ ID NO: 89; and SEQ ID NO: 90 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 83 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 84, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences. In another embodiment of the invention, the antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof comprise, or alternatively consist of, combinations of one or more of the CDRs, the variable heavy and variable light chain sequences, and the heavy and light chain sequences set forth above, including all of them.

The invention also contemplates fragments of the antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 81 or SEQ ID NO: 82. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 83 or SEQ ID NO: 84.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 85; SEQ ID NO: 86; and SEQ ID NO: 87 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 81 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 82.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 88; SEQ ID NO: 89; and SEQ ID NO: 90, which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 83 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 84.

The invention also contemplates antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions which include one or more of the antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 81; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 83; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 85; SEQ ID NO: 86; and SEQ ID NO: 87) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 81; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 88; SEQ ID NO: 89; and SEQ ID NO: 90) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 83.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the chimeric anti-NGF antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions is Ab9, comprising, or alternatively consisting of, SEQ ID NO: 82 and SEQ ID NO: 84, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF and other monovalent agents analogous to MetMab. With respect to antibody Ab9, the Fab fragment includes the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 81 and the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 83. This embodiment of the invention further contemplates additions, deletions, and variants of SEQ ID NO: 81 and/or SEQ ID NO: 83 in said Fab while retaining binding specificity for NGF.

In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab9. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab9 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, plant cells, transgenic plant or animal, or microbial systems such as bacterial or yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab10

The invention provides novel anti-NGF antibodies and antibody fragments and compositions containing, that specifically bind NGF which inhibit the association of NGF with TrkA and which further inhibit the association of NGF with p75. These novel antibodies and antibody fragments are e.g., suitable for detecting NGF, and for treating pain and pain-associated disorders and conditions, e.g., pain associated with inflammation, cancer, specific pain and inflammation associated disorders, especially pain-associated disorders associated with elevated NGF levels, and may be alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., another biologic, an NSAID or opioid analgesic. In one embodiment, the invention includes chimeric or humanized antibodies for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 91) AYDMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCQASENIGSYLAWYQQKPGKVPKLLIY RASTLASGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDVATYYCQQGYNSENLD NAFGGGTKVEIKR.

The invention also includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 92) AYDMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCQASENIGSYLAWYQQKPGKVPKLLIY RASTLASGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDVATYYCQQGYNSENLD NAFGGGTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREA KVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYA CEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC.

The invention further includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 93) QVQLVESGGGVVQPGRSLRLSCAASGFTFSMYSMGWVRQAPGKGLEYIG WISYGGTAYYASSAKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMSSLRAEDTAVYYCARE TPVNYYLDIWGQGTLVTVSS.

The invention also includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 94) QVQLVESGGGVVQPGRSLRLSCAASGFTFSMYSMGWVRQAPGKGLEYIG WISYGGTAYYASSAKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMSSLRAEDTAVYYCARE TPVNYYLDIWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLV KDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGT QTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKRVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFP PKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPRE EQYASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQ PREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNY KTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKS LSLSPGK.

The invention further contemplates antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 95; SEQ ID NO: 96; and SEQ ID NO: 97 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 91 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 92, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 98; SEQ ID NO: 99; and SEQ ID NO: 100 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 93 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 94, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences. In another embodiment of the invention, the antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof comprise, or alternatively consist of, combinations of one or more of the CDRs, the variable heavy and variable light chain sequences, and the heavy and light chain sequences set forth above, including all of them.

The invention also contemplates fragments of the antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 91 or SEQ ID NO: 92. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 93 or SEQ ID NO: 94.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 95; SEQ ID NO: 96; and SEQ ID NO: 97 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 91 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 92.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 98; SEQ ID NO: 99; and SEQ ID NO: 100 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 93 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 94.

The invention also contemplates antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions which include one or more of the antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 91; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 93; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 95; SEQ ID NO: 96; and SEQ ID NO: 97) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 91; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 98; SEQ ID NO: 99; and SEQ ID NO: 100) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 93.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the anti-NGF antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions is chimeric or humanized Ab10, comprising, or alternatively consisting of, SEQ ID NO: 92 and SEQ ID NO: 94, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF and other monovalent agents analogous to MetMab. With respect to antibody Ab10, the Fab fragment e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions includes the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 91 and the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 93. This embodiment of the invention further contemplates additions, deletions, and variants of SEQ ID NO: 91 and/or SEQ ID NO: 93 in said Fab while retaining binding specificity for NGF.

In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab10. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab10 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, plant cells, transgenic plant or animal, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab11

The invention provides novel anti-NGF antibodies and antibody fragments and compositions containing, that specifically bind NGF which inhibit the association of NGF with TrkA and which further inhibit the association of NGF with p75. These novel antibodies and antibody fragments are e.g., suitable for detecting NGF, and for treating pain and pain-associated disorders and conditions, e.g., pain associated with inflammation, cancer, specific pain and inflammation associated disorders, especially pain-associated disorders associated with elevated NGF levels, and may be administered alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., another biologic, an NSAID or opioid analgesic. In one embodiment, the invention includes chimeric antibodies having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 101) AFELTQTESSVEAAVGGTVTIKCQASQNIVTNLAWYQQKPGQPPKLLIYG ASTLASGVSSRFKGSGSGTQFTLTISDLECADAATYFCQSYDGFNSAGFG GGTEVVVKR.

The invention also includes chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 102) AFELTQTESSVEAAVGGTVTIKCQASQNIVTNLAWYQQKPGQPPKLLIYG ASTLASGVSSRFKGSGSGTQFTLTISDLECADAATYFCQSYDGFNSAGFG GGTEVVVKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQWK VDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQ GLSSPVTKSFNRGEC.

The invention further includes chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 103) QSLEESGGRLVTPGTPLTLTCTASGFSLSGYDMSWVRQAPGKGLEYIGLI SYDGNTYYATWAKGRFTISKTSTTVDLKITSPTTEDTATYFCARSLYAGP NAGIGPFNIWGQGTLVTVSS.

The invention also includes chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 104) QSLEESGGRLVTPGTPLTLTCTASGFSLSGYDMSWVRQAPGKGLEYIGLI SYDGNTYYATWAKGRFTISKTSTTVDLKITSPTTEDTATYFCARSLYAGP NAGIGPFNIWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVK DYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQT YICNVNHKPSNTKVDKRVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKP KDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYA STYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQ VYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPV LDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPG K.

The invention further contemplates antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 105; SEQ ID NO: 106; and SEQ ID NO: 107 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 101 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 102, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 108; SEQ ID NO: 109; and SEQ ID NO: 110 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 103 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 104, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences. In another embodiment of the invention, the antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof comprise, or alternatively consist of, combinations of one or more of the CDRs, the variable heavy and variable light chain sequences, and the heavy and light chain sequences set forth above, including all of them.

The invention also contemplates fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions. In one embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 101 or SEQ ID NO: 102. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 103 or SEQ ID NO: 104.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 105; SEQ ID NO: 106; and SEQ ID NO: 107 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 101 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 102.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 108; SEQ ID NO: 109; and SEQ ID NO: 110 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 103 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 104.

The invention also contemplates antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions which include one or more of the antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 101; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 103; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 105; SEQ ID NO: 106; and SEQ ID NO: 107) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 101; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 108; SEQ ID NO: 109; and SEQ ID NO: 110) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 103.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the chimeric anti-NGF antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions is Ab11, comprising, or alternatively consisting of, SEQ ID NO: 102 and SEQ ID NO: 104, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF and other monovalent agents analogous to MetMab. With respect to antibody Ab11, the Fab fragment includes the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 101 and the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 103. This embodiment of the invention further contemplates additions, deletions, and variants of SEQ ID NO: 101 and/or SEQ ID NO: 103 in said Fab while retaining binding specificity for NGF.

In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments may e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab11. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab11 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, plant cells, transgenic plant or animal, or microbial systems such as bacterial or yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab12

The invention provides novel anti-NGF antibodies and antibody fragments and compositions containing, that specifically bind NGF which inhibit the association of NGF with TrkA and which further inhibit the association of NGF with p75. These novel antibodies and antibody fragments are e.g., suitable for detecting NGF, and for treating pain and pain-associated disorders and conditions, e.g., pain associated with inflammation, cancer, specific pain and inflammation associated disorders, especially pain-associated disorders associated with elevated NGF levels, and may be administered alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., another biologic, an NSAID or opioid analgesic. In one embodiment, the invention includes chimeric or humanized antibodies having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 111) AFQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCQASQNIVTNLAWYQQKPGKVPKLLIYG ASTLASGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDVATYYCQSYDGFNSAGFG GGTKVEIKR.

The invention also includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 112) AFQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCQASQNIVTNLAWYQQKPGKVPKLLIYG ASTLASGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDVATYYCQSYDGFNSAGFG GGTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQWK VDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQ GLSSPVTKSFNRGEC.

The invention further includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 113) QVQLVESGGGVVQPGRSLRLSCAASGFSLSGYDMSWVRQAPGKGLEWVGL ISYDGNTYYATSAKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMSSLRAEDTAVYYCARSLY AGPNAGIGPFNIWGQGTLVTVSS.

The invention also includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 114) QVQLVESGGGVVQPGRSLRLSCAASGFSLSGYDMSWVRQAPGKGLEWVGL ISYDGNTYYATSAKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMSSLRAEDTAVYYCARSLY AGPNAGIGPFNIWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGC LVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLG TQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKRVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFP PKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREE QYASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPR EPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTT PPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLS PGK.

The invention further contemplates antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 115; SEQ ID NO: 116; and SEQ ID NO: 117 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 111 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 112, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 118; SEQ ID NO: 119; and SEQ ID NO: 120 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 113 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 114, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences. In another embodiment of the invention, the antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof comprise, or alternatively consist of, combinations of one or more of the CDRs, the variable heavy and variable light chain sequences, and the heavy and light chain sequences set forth above, including all of them.

The invention also contemplates fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions. In one embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 111 or SEQ ID NO: 112. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 113 or SEQ ID NO: 114.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 115; SEQ ID NO: 116; and SEQ ID NO: 117 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 111 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 112.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 118; SEQ ID NO: 119; and SEQ ID NO: 120 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 113 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 114.

The invention also contemplates antibody fragments which include one or more of the antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 111; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 113; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 115; SEQ ID NO: 116; and SEQ ID NO: 117) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 111; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 118; SEQ ID NO: 119; and SEQ ID NO: 120) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 113.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the anti-NGF antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions is chimeric or humanized Ab12, comprising, or alternatively consisting of, SEQ ID NO: 112 and SEQ ID NO: 114, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF and other monovalent agents analogous to MetMab. With respect to antibody Ab12, the Fab fragment includes the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 111 and the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 113. This embodiment of the invention further contemplates additions, deletions, and variants of SEQ ID NO: 111 and/or SEQ ID NO: 113 in said Fab while retaining binding specificity for NGF.

In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab12. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab12 or Fab fragments thereof e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions may be produced via expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, plant cell, transgenic plants or animals, or microbial systems such as bacterial or yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab13

The invention provides novel anti-NGF antibodies and antibody fragments and compositions containing, that specifically bind NGF which inhibit the association of NGF with TrkA and which further inhibit the association of NGF with p75. These novel antibodies and antibody fragments are e.g., suitable for detecting NGF, and for treating pain and pain-associated disorders and conditions, e.g., pain associated with inflammation, cancer, specific pain and inflammation associated disorders, especially pain-associated disorders associated with elevated NGF levels, and may be administered alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., another biologic, an NSAID or opioid analgesic. In one embodiment, the invention includes chimeric antibodies having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 121) AAVLTQTPSPVSAAVGGTVSISCQSSQNVYKNNYLSWYQQKPGQPPKLLI YKASTLASGVPSRFKGGGSGTDFTLTISDVQCDAAATYYCAGGYTSSSDN AFGGGTEVVVKR.

The invention also includes chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 122) AAVLTQTPSPVSAAVGGTVSISCQSSQNVYKNNYLSWYQQKPGQPPKLLI YKASTLASGVPSRFKGGGSGTDFTLTISDVQCDAAATYYCAGGYTSSSDN AFGGGTEVVVKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKV QWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEV THQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC.

The invention further includes chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below: QSVEASGGRLVTPGTPLTLTCTASGFSLSTYWMSWVRQAPGKGLEWIGDIYFSNEE TNYASWAKGRFTISKTSTTVDLNVISPTTEDTATYFCARGSPDVDIGIDMWGPGTL VTVSS (SEQ ID NO: 123).

The invention also includes chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 124) QSVEASGGRLVTPGTPLTLTCTASGFSLSTYWMSWVRQAPGKGLEWIGDI YFSNEETNYASWAKGRFTISKTSTTVDLNVISPTTEDTATYFCARGSPDV DIGIDMWGPGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYF PEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYIC NVNHKPSNTKVDKRVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDT LMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYASTY RVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYT LPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDS DGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK.

The invention further contemplates antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 125; SEQ ID NO: 126; and SEQ ID NO: 127 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 121 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 128; SEQ ID NO: 129; and SEQ ID NO: 130 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 123 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 124, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences. In another embodiment of the invention, the antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof comprise, or alternatively consist of, combinations of one or more of the CDRs, the variable heavy and variable light chain sequences, and the heavy and light chain sequences set forth above, including all of them.

The invention also contemplates fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions. In one embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 121 or SEQ ID NO: 122. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 123 or SEQ ID NO: 124.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 125; SEQ ID NO: 126; and SEQ ID NO: 127 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 121 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 128; SEQ ID NO: 129; and SEQ ID NO: 130 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 123 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 124.

The invention also contemplates antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions which include one or more of the antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 121; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 123; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 125; SEQ ID NO: 126; and SEQ ID NO: 127) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 121; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 128; SEQ ID NO: 129; and SEQ ID NO: 130) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 123.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the chimeric anti-NGF antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions is Ab13, comprising, or alternatively consisting of, SEQ ID NO: 122 and SEQ ID NO: 124, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF and other monovalent agents analagous to MetMab. With respect to antibody Ab13, the Fab fragment includes the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 121 and the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 123. This embodiment of the invention further contemplates additions, deletions, and variants of SEQ ID NO: 121 and/or SEQ ID NO: 123 in said Fab while retaining binding specificity for NGF.

In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab13. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab13 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, plant cells, plants, animals, or microbial systems such as bacterial or yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab14

The invention provides novel anti-NGF antibodies and antibody fragments and compositions containing, that specifically bind NGF which inhibit the association of NGF with TrkA and which further inhibit the association of NGF with p75. These novel antibodies and antibody fragments are e.g., suitable for detecting NGF, and for treating pain and pain-associated disorders and conditions, e.g., pain associated with inflammation, cancer, specific pain and inflammation associated disorders, especially pain-associated disorders associated with elevated NGF levels, and may be administered alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., another biologic, an NSAID or opioid analgesic. In one embodiment, the invention includes chimeric or humanized antibodies having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below

(SEQ ID NO: 131) DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCQSSQNVYKNNYLSWYQQKPGKVPKLLI YKASTLASGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDVATYYCAGGYTSSSDN AFGGGTKVEIKR.

The invention also includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 132) DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCQSSQNVYKNNYLSWYQQKPGKVPKLLI YKASTLASGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDVATYYCAGGYTSSSDN AFGGGTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKV QWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEV THQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC.

The invention further includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 133) EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTVSTYWMSWVRQAPGKGLEWVGD IYFSNEETNYASSAKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCARGS PDVDIGIDMWGPGTLVTVSS.

The invention also includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 134) EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTVSTYWMSWVRQAPGKGLEWVGD IYFSNEETNYASSAKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCARGS PDVDIGIDMWGPGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVK DYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQT YICNVNHKPSNTKVDKRVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKP KDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYA STYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQ VYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPV LDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPG K.

The invention further contemplates antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 135; SEQ ID NO: 136; and SEQ ID NO: 137 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 131 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 132, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 138; SEQ ID NO: 139; and SEQ ID NO: 140 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 133 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 134, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences. In another embodiment of the invention, the antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof comprise, or alternatively consist of, combinations of one or more of the CDRs, the variable heavy and variable light chain sequences, and the heavy and light chain sequences set forth above, including all of them.

The invention also contemplates fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions. In one embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 131 or SEQ ID NO: 132. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 133 or SEQ ID NO: 134.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 135; SEQ ID NO: 136; and SEQ ID NO: 137 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 131 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 132.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 138; SEQ ID NO: 139; and SEQ ID NO: 140 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 133 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 134.

The invention also contemplates antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions which include one or more of the antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 131; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 133; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 135; SEQ ID NO: 136; and SEQ ID NO: 137) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 131; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 138; SEQ ID NO: 139; and SEQ ID NO: 140) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 133.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the anti-NGF antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions is chimeric or humanized Ab14, comprising, or alternatively consisting of, SEQ ID NO: 132 and SEQ ID NO: 134, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF and other monovalent agents analogous to MetMab. With respect to antibody Ab14, the Fab fragment includes the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 131 and the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 133. This embodiment of the invention further contemplates additions, deletions, and variants of SEQ ID NO: 131 and/or SEQ ID NO: 133 in said Fab while retaining binding specificity for NGF.

In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab14. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab14 or Fab fragments thereof e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions may be produced via expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, plant cell, plant, animal, or microbial systems such as bacterial or yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab15

The invention provides novel anti-NGF antibodies and antibody fragments and compositions containing, that specifically bind NGF which inhibit the association of NGF with TrkA and which do not appreciably inhibit the association of NGF with p75. These novel antibodies and antibody fragments are e.g., suitable for detecting NGF, and for treating pain and pain-associated disorders and conditions, e.g., pain associated with inflammation, cancer, specific pain and inflammation associated disorders, especially pain-associated disorders associated with elevated NGF levels, and may be administered alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., another biologic, an NSAID or opioid analgesic. In one embodiment, the invention includes chimeric antibodies having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below

(SEQ ID NO: 141) AAVLTQTPSPVSAAVGDTVTIKCQSSQSVYKNNYLSWYQQKPGQPPKLL IYDASNLPSGVPSRFSGSGSGTQFTLTISGVQCDDAATYYCLGDYDDDT DNGFGGGTEVVVKR.

The invention also includes chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 142) AAVLTQTPSPVSAAVGDTVTIKCQSSQSVYKNNYLSWYQQKPGQPPKLL IYDASNLPSGVPSRFSGSGSGTQFTLTISGVQCDDAATYYCLGDYDDDT DNGFGGGTEVVVKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPRE AKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVY ACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC.

The invention further includes chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 143) QSVEESGGRLVTPGTPLTLTCTVSGIDLSSYAMIWVRQAPGKGLEYIGI IWSGGTYYATWAKGRFTISKTSTTVDLQITSPTTEDAATYFCAAGGGSI YDVWGPGTLVTVSS.

The invention also includes chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 144) QSVEESGGRLVTPGTPLTLTCTVSGIDLSSYAMIWVRQAPGKGLEYIGI IWSGGTYYATWAKGRFTISKTSTTVDLQITSPTTEDAATYFCAAGGGSI YDVWGPGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPE PVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICN VNHKPSNTKVDKRVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDT LMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYAST YRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQV YTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPV LDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSL SPGK.

The invention further contemplates antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 145; SEQ ID NO: 146; and SEQ ID NO: 147 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 141 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 142, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 148; SEQ ID NO: 149; and SEQ ID NO: 150 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 143 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 144, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences. In another embodiment of the invention, the antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, combinations of one or more of the CDRs, the variable heavy and variable light chain sequences, and the heavy and light chain sequences set forth above, including all of them.

The invention also contemplates fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions. In one embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 141 or SEQ ID NO: 142. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 143 or SEQ ID NO: 144.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 145; SEQ ID NO: 146; and SEQ ID NO: 147 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 141 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 142.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 148; SEQ ID NO: 149; and SEQ ID NO: 150 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 143 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 144.

The invention also contemplates antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions which include one or more of the antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 141; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 143; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 145; SEQ ID NO: 146; and SEQ ID NO: 147) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 141; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 148; SEQ ID NO: 149; and SEQ ID NO: 150) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 143.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the chimeric anti-NGF antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions is Ab15, comprising, or alternatively consisting of, SEQ ID NO: 142 and SEQ ID NO: 144, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF and other monovalent agents analogous to MetMab. With respect to antibody Ab15, the Fab fragment includes the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 141 and the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 143. This embodiment of the invention further contemplates additions, deletions, and variants of SEQ ID NO: 141 and/or SEQ ID NO: 143 in said Fab while retaining binding specificity for NGF.

In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab15. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions such as Ab15 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, plant cells, transgenic plants or animals, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab16

The invention provides novel anti-NGF antibodies and antibody fragments and compositions containing, that specifically bind NGF which inhibit the association of NGF with TrkA and which do not appreciably inhibit the association of NGF with p75. These novel antibodies and antibody fragments are e.g., suitable for detecting NGF, and for treating pain and pain-associated disorders and conditions, e.g., pain associated with inflammation, cancer, specific pain and inflammation associated disorders, especially pain-associated disorders associated with elevated NGF levels, and may be administered alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., another biologic, an NSAID or opioid analgesic. In one embodiment, the invention includes chimeric or humanized antibodies having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below

(SEQ ID NO: 151) ALVMTQTPSSTSEPVGGTVTINCQASQNIGNDLSWYQQKPGQPPELLIY STSKLATGVPKRFSGSRSGTQFTLTISDLECDDAATYYCLGVYSYISDD GNAFGGGTEVVVKR.

The invention also includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 152) ALVMTQTPSSTSEPVGGTVTINCQASQNIGNDLSWYQQKPGQPPELLIY STSKLATGVPKRFSGSRSGTQFTLTISDLECDDAATYYCLGVYSYISDD GNAFGGGTEVVVKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPRE AKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVY ACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC.

The invention further includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 153) QSVEEFGGRLVTPGTPLTLTCTVSGFSLNNYAMTWVRQAPGKGLEWIGI IGSIGTTYYASWAKGRFFISKTSTTVDLKIISPTTEDTATYFCARDAGV TVDGYGYYFNIWGPGTLVTVSS.

The invention also includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 154) QSVEEFGGRLVTPGTPLTLTCTVSGFSLNNYAMTWVRQAPGKGLEWIGI IGSIGTTYYASWAKGRFFISKTSTTVDLKIISPTTEDTATYFCARDAGV TVDGYGYYFNIWGPGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGC LVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSL GTQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKRVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFL FPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKP REEQYASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAK GQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPEN NYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQ KSLSLSPGK.

The invention further contemplates antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 155; SEQ ID NO: 156; and SEQ ID NO: 157 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 151 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 152, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 158; SEQ ID NO: 159; and SEQ ID NO: 160 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 153 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 154, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences. In another embodiment of the invention, the antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, combinations of one or more of the CDRs, the variable heavy and variable light chain sequences, and the heavy and light chain sequences set forth above, including all of them.

The invention also contemplates fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions. In one embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 151 or SEQ ID NO: 152. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 153 or SEQ ID NO: 154.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 155; SEQ ID NO: 156; and SEQ ID NO: 157 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 151 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 152.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 158; SEQ ID NO: 159; and SEQ ID NO: 160 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 153 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 154.

The invention also contemplates antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions which include one or more of the antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 151; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 153; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 155; SEQ ID NO: 156; and SEQ ID NO: 157) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 151; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 158; SEQ ID NO: 159; and SEQ ID NO: 160) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 153.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the anti-NGF antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions is Ab16, comprising, or alternatively consisting of, SEQ ID NO: 152 and SEQ ID NO: 154, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF and other monovalent agents analogous to MetMab. With respect to antibody Ab16, the Fab fragment includes the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 151 and the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 153. This embodiment of the invention further contemplates additions, deletions, and variants of SEQ ID NO: 151 and/or SEQ ID NO: 153 in said Fab while retaining binding specificity for NGF.

In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab16. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions such as Ab16 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, plant cells, transgenic plants or animals, or microbial systems such as bacterial or yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab17

The invention provides novel anti-NGF antibodies and antibody fragments and compositions containing, that specifically bind NGF which inhibit the association of NGF with TrkA and which further inhibit the association of NGF with p75. These novel antibodies and antibody fragments are e.g., suitable for detecting NGF, and for treating pain and pain-associated disorders and conditions, e.g., pain associated with inflammation, cancer, specific pain and inflammation associated disorders, especially pain-associated disorders associated with elevated NGF levels, and may be administered alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., another biologic, an NSAID or opioid analgesic. In one embodiment, the invention includes chimeric antibodies having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 161) AIEMTQTPFSVSAAVGGTVTIKCQASQTISNYLAWYQQKPGQPPKLLIY GASNLESGVPSRFKGSGSGTQFTLTISDLECDDAATYYCQQGYTISNVD NNVFGGGTEVVVKR.

The invention also includes chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 162) AIEMTQTPFSVSAAVGGTVTIKCQASQTISNYLAWYQQKPGQPPKLLIY GASNLESGVPSRFKGSGSGTQFTLTISDLECDDAATYYCQQGYTISNVD NNVFGGGTEVVVKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPRE AKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVY ACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC.

The invention further includes chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 163) QSLEESGGRLVTPGGSLTLTCAASGFSLTGYNLVWVRQAPGKGLEWIGF ISYGDTTYYASWAKGRFTISKTSTTVTLTITDLQPSDTGTYFCARETAN TYDYGIWGPGTLVTVSS.

The invention also includes chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 164) QSLEESGGRLVTPGGSLTLTCAASGFSLTGYNLVWVRQAPGKGLEWIGF ISYGDTTYYASWAKGRFTISKTSTTVTLTITDLQPSDTGTYFCARETAN TYDYGIWGPGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDY FPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTY ICNVNHKPSNTKVDKRVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKP KDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQY ASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPRE PQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTT PPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSL SPGK.

The invention further contemplates antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 165; SEQ ID NO: 166; and SEQ ID NO: 167 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 161 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 162, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 168; SEQ ID NO: 169; and SEQ ID NO: 170 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 163 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 164, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences. In another embodiment of the invention, the antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, combinations of one or more of the CDRs, the variable heavy and variable light chain sequences, and the heavy and light chain sequences set forth above, including all of them.

The invention also contemplates fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions. In one embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 161 or SEQ ID NO: 162. In another optional embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 163 or SEQ ID NO: 164.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 165; SEQ ID NO: 166; and SEQ ID NO: 167 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 161 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 162.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 168; SEQ ID NO: 169; and SEQ ID NO: 170 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 163 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 164.

The invention also contemplates antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions which include one or more of the antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 161; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 163; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 165; SEQ ID NO: 166; and SEQ ID NO: 167) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 161; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 168; SEQ ID NO: 169; and SEQ ID NO: 170) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 163.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the chimeric anti-NGF antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions is Ab17, comprising, or alternatively consisting of, SEQ ID NO: 162 and SEQ ID NO: 164, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF and other monovalent agents analogous to MetMab. With respect to antibody Ab17, the Fab fragment includes the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 161 and the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 163. This embodiment of the invention further contemplates additions, deletions, and variants of SEQ ID NO: 161 and/or SEQ ID NO: 163 in said Fab while retaining binding specificity for NGF.

In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab17. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab17 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, plant cells, plants, animals, or microbial systems such as bacterial or yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab18

The invention provides novel anti-NGF antibodies and antibody fragments and compositions containing, that specifically bind NGF which inhibit the association of NGF with TrkA and which further inhibit the association of NGF with p75. These novel antibodies and antibody fragments are e.g., suitable for detecting NGF, and for treating pain and pain-associated disorders and conditions, e.g., pain associated with inflammation, cancer, specific pain and inflammation associated disorders, especially pain-associated disorders associated with elevated NGF levels, and may be administered alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., another biologic, an NSAID or opioid analgesic. In one embodiment, the invention includes chimeric or humanized antibodies having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 171) DIQMTQSPSTLSASVGDRVTITCQASQTISNYLAWYQQKPGKAPKLLIY GASNLESGVPSRFSGSGSGTEFTLTISSLQPDDFATYYCQQGYTISNVD NNVFGGGTKVEIKR.

The invention also includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 172) DIQMTQSPSTLSASVGDRVTITCQASQTISNYLAWYQQKPGKAPKLLIY GASNLESGVPSRFSGSGSGTEFTLTISSLQPDDFATYYCQQGYTISNVD NNVFGGGTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPRE AKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVY ACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC.

The invention further includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 173) EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTVSGYNLVWVRQAPGKGLEWVG FISYGDTTYYASSAKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCARE TANTYDYGIWGQGTLVTVSS.

The invention also includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 174) EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTVSGYNLVWVRQAPGKGLEWVGF ISYGDTTYYASSAKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCARETA NTYDYGIWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDY FPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYI CNVNHKPSNTKVDKRVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKD TLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYAST YRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVY TLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLD SDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK.

The invention further contemplates antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 175; SEQ ID NO: 176; and SEQ ID NO: 177 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 171 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 172, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 178; SEQ ID NO: 179; and SEQ ID NO: 180 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 173 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 174, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences. In another embodiment of the invention, the antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, combinations of one or more of the CDRs, the variable heavy and variable light chain sequences, and the heavy and light chain sequences set forth above, including all of them.

The invention also contemplates fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions. In one embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 171 or SEQ ID NO: 172. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 173 or SEQ ID NO: 174.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 175; SEQ ID NO: 176; and SEQ ID NO: 177 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 171 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 172.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 178; SEQ ID NO: 179; and SEQ ID NO: 180 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 173 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 174.

The invention also contemplates antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions which include one or more of the antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 171; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 173; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 175; SEQ ID NO: 176; and SEQ ID NO: 177) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 171; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 178; SEQ ID NO: 179; and SEQ ID NO: 180) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 173.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the anti-NGF antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions is Ab18, comprising, or alternatively consisting of, SEQ ID NO: 172 and SEQ ID NO: 174, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments comprise, or alternatively consist of, Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF and other monovalent agents analogous to MetMab. With respect to antibody Ab18, the Fab fragment includes the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 171 and the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 173. This embodiment of the invention further contemplates additions, deletions, and variants of SEQ ID NO: 171 and/or SEQ ID NO: 173 in said Fab while retaining binding specificity for NGF.

In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab18. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab18 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, plant cells, plants, animals, or microbial systems such as bacteria or yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab19

The invention provides novel anti-NGF antibodies and antibody fragments and compositions containing, that specifically bind NGF which inhibit the association of NGF with TrkA and which further inhibit the association of NGF with p75. These novel antibodies and antibody fragments are e.g., suitable for detecting NGF, and for treating pain and pain-associated disorders and conditions, e.g., pain associated with inflammation, cancer, specific pain and inflammation associated disorders, especially pain-associated disorders associated with elevated NGF levels, and may be administered alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., another biologic, an NSAID or opioid analgesic. In one embodiment, the invention includes chimeric antibodies having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below

(SEQ ID NO: 181) AAVLTQTPSPVSAAVGGTVSISCQSSQNVYKNNYLSWYQQKPGQPPKLLI YKASTLASGVPSRFKGSGSGTDFTLTISDVQCDAAATYYCAGGYSSSSDN AFGGGTEVVVKR.

The invention also includes chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 182) AAVLTQTPSPVSAAVGGTVSISCQSSQNVYKNNYLSWYQQKPGQPPKLLI YKASTLASGVPSRFKGSGSGTDFTLTISDVQCDAAATYYCAGGYSSSSDN AFGGGTEVVVKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKV QWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEV THQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC.

The invention further includes chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 183) QSVEASGGRLVMPGGSLTLTCTASGFSLSTYWMSWVRQAPGKGLEWIGDI YFSNEETNYATWAKGRFTISKTSTTVDLNVISPTTEDTATYFCARGSPDV EIAIDMWGQGTLVTVSS.

The invention also includes chimeric antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 184) QSVEASGGRLVMPGGSLTLTCTASGFSLSTYWMSWVRQAPGKGLEWIGDI YFSNEETNYATWAKGRFTISKTSTTVDLNVISPTTEDTATYFCARGSPDV EIAIDMWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYF PEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYIC NVNHKPSNTKVDKRVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDT LMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYASTY RVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYT LPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDS DGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK.

The invention further contemplates antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 185; SEQ ID NO: 186; and SEQ ID NO: 187 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 181 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 182, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 188; SEQ ID NO: 189; and SEQ ID NO: 190 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 183 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 184, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences. In another embodiment of the invention, the antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, combinations of one or more of the CDRs, the variable heavy and variable light chain sequences, and the heavy and light chain sequences set forth above, including all of them.

The invention also contemplates fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions. In one embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 181 or SEQ ID NO: 182. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 183 or SEQ ID NO: 184.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 185; SEQ ID NO: 186; and SEQ ID NO: 187 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 181 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 182.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 188; SEQ ID NO: 189; and SEQ ID NO: 190 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 183 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 184.

The invention also contemplates antibody fragments which include one or more of the antibody fragments described herein e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions. In one embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 181; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 183; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 185; SEQ ID NO: 186; and SEQ ID NO: 187) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 181; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 188; SEQ ID NO: 189; and SEQ ID NO: 190) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 183.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the chimeric anti-NGF antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions is Ab19, comprising, or alternatively consisting of, SEQ ID NO: 182 and SEQ ID NO: 184, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF and other monovalent agents analogous to MetMab. With respect to antibody Ab19, the Fab fragment includes the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 181 and the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 183. This embodiment of the invention further contemplates additions, deletions, and variants of SEQ ID NO: 181 and/or SEQ ID NO: 183 in said Fab while retaining binding specificity for NGF.

In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab19. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab19 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, plant cells, plants, animals, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab20

The invention provides novel anti-NGF antibodies and antibody fragments and compositions containing, that specifically bind NGF which inhibit the association of NGF with TrkA and which further inhibit the association of NGF with p75. These novel antibodies and antibody fragments are e.g., suitable for detecting NGF, and for treating pain and pain-associated disorders and conditions, e.g., pain associated with inflammation, cancer, specific pain and inflammation associated disorders, especially pain-associated disorders associated with elevated NGF levels, and may be administered alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., another biologic, an NSAID or opioid analgesic. In one embodiment, the invention includes chimeric or humanized antibodies having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 191) DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCQSSQNVYKNNYLSWYQQKPGKVPKLLI YKASTLASGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDVATYYCAGGYTSSSDN AFGGGTKVEIKR.

The invention also includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 192) DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCQSSQNVYKNNYLSWYQQKPGKVPKLLI YKASTLASGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDVATYYCAGGYTSSSDN AFGGGTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKV QWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEV THQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC.

The invention further includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 193) EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTVSTYWMSWVRQAPGKGLEWVGD IYFSNEETNYATSAKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCARGS PDVEIAIDMWGQGTLVTVSS.

The invention also includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 194) EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTVSTYWMSWVRQAPGKGLEWVGD IYFSNEETNYATSAKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCARGS PDVEIAIDMWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVK DYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQT YICNVNHKPSNTKVDKRVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKP KDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYA STYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQ VYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPV LDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLS PGK.

The invention further contemplates antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 195; SEQ ID NO: 196; and SEQ ID NO: 197 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 191 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 192, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 198; SEQ ID NO: 199; and SEQ ID NO: 200 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 193 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 194, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences. In another embodiment of the invention, the antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, combinations of one or more of the CDRs, the variable heavy and variable light chain sequences, and the heavy and light chain sequences set forth above, including all of them.

The invention also contemplates fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 191 or SEQ ID NO: 192. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 193 or SEQ ID NO: 194.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 195; SEQ ID NO: 196; and SEQ ID NO: 197 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 191 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 192.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 198; SEQ ID NO: 199; and SEQ ID NO: 200 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 193 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 194.

The invention also contemplates antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions which include one or more of the antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 191; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 193; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 195; SEQ ID NO: 196; and SEQ ID NO: 197) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 191; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 198; SEQ ID NO: 199; and SEQ ID NO: 200) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 193.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the chimeric or humanized anti-NGF antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions is Ab20, comprising, or alternatively consisting of, SEQ ID NO: 192 and SEQ ID NO: 194, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF and other monovalent agents analogous to MetMab. With respect to antibody Ab20, the Fab fragment includes the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 191 and the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 193. This embodiment of the invention further contemplates additions, deletions, and variants of SEQ ID NO: 191 and/or SEQ ID NO: 193 in said Fab while retaining binding specificity for NGF.

In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab20. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions such as Ab20 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, plant cells, plants, animals, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab21

The invention provides novel anti-NGF antibodies and antibody fragments and compositions containing, that specifically bind NGF which inhibit the association of NGF with TrkA and which further inhibit the association of NGF with p75. These novel antibodies and antibody fragments are e.g., suitable for detecting NGF, and for treating pain and pain-associated disorders and conditions, e.g., pain associated with inflammation, cancer, specific pain and inflammation associated disorders, especially pain-associated disorders associated with elevated NGF levels, and may be administered alone or in association with another active agent, e.g., another biologic, an NSAID or opioid analgesic. In one embodiment, the invention includes chimeric or humanized antibodies having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 51) DIQMTQSPSTLSASVGDRVTITCQASQSIYSNLAWYQQKPGKAPKLLIYD ASTLESGVPSRFSGSGSGTEYTLTISSLQPDDFATYYCQQGFTVSDIDNA FGGGTKVEIKR.

The invention also includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 401) DIQMTQSPSTLSASVGDRVTITCQASQSIYSNLAWYQQKPGKAPKLLIYD ASTLESGVPSRFSGSGSGTEYTLTISSLQPDDFATYYCQQGFTVSDIDNA FGGGTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQ WKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVT HQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC.

The invention further includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 53) EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTVSNYAVGWVRQAPGKGLEWVGI IGRNGNTWYASSARGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCARGYG RSVAYYVFNIWGPGTLVTVSS.

The invention also includes chimeric or humanized antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 402) EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTVSNYAVGWVRQAPGKGLEWVGI IGRNGNTWYASSARGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCARGYG RSVAYYVFNIWGPGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLV KDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQ TYICNVNHKPSNTKVDARVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPK PKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQY ASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREP QVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPP VLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLS PGK.

The invention further contemplates antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 55; SEQ ID NO: 56; and SEQ ID NO: 57 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 401, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 58; SEQ ID NO: 59; and SEQ ID NO: 60 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 402, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences. In another embodiment of the invention, the antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof comprise, or alternatively consist of, combinations of one or more of the CDRs, the variable heavy and variable light chain sequences, and the heavy and light chain sequences set forth above, including all of them.

The invention also contemplates fragments of the antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51 or SEQ ID NO: 401. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53 or SEQ ID NO: 402.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 55; SEQ ID NO: 56; and SEQ ID NO: 57 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 401 and monovalent antibody molecules analogous to MetMab.

In a further embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 58; SEQ ID NO: 59; and SEQ ID NO: 60 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 402.

The invention also contemplates antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions which include one or more of the antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 51; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 53; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 55; SEQ ID NO: 56; and SEQ ID NO: 57) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 51; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 58; SEQ ID NO: 59; and SEQ ID NO: 60) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 53.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the anti-NGF antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions is Ab21, comprising, or alternatively consisting of, SEQ ID NO: 401 and SEQ ID NO: 402, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, monovalent agents are utilized in methods of treating pain in a patient without substantially increasing inflammation in said patient. Exemplary monovalent agents include, but are not limited to, Fab, Fab′, MetMab like monovalent agents, Fv, scFv fragments, SMIPs (small molecule immunopharmaceuticals), camelbodies, nanobodies, IgNAR, or one or more combinations thereof.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF. With respect to antibody Ab21, the Fab fragment includes the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51 and the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53. This embodiment of the invention further contemplates additions, deletions, and variants of SEQ ID NO: 51 and/or SEQ ID NO: 53 in said Fab while retaining binding specificity for NGF.

In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab21. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions such as Ab21 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, plant, animal or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Fragment Fab1

The invention contemplates methods of treating pain using antibody fragment Fab1 or fragments thereof, for example as set forth below, in a therapeutically effective amount which inhibits the association of NGF with TrkA and further inhibit the association of NGF with p75. In one embodiment, the invention includes Fab antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 405) DIQMTQSPSTLSASVGDRVTITCQASQSIYSNLAWYQQKPGKAPKLLIYD ASTLESGVPSRFSGSGSGTEYTLTISSLQPDDFATYYCQQGFTVSDIDNA FGGGTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQ WKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVT HQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC.

The invention further includes Fab antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 406) EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTVSNYAVGWVRQAPGKGLEWVGI IGRNGNTWYASSARGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCARGYG RSVAYYVFNIWGPGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLV KDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQ TYICNVNHKPSNTKVDARVEPKSCDKTH.

The invention further contemplates antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 55; SEQ ID NO: 56; and SEQ ID NO: 57 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 405, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 58; SEQ ID NO: 59; and SEQ ID NO: 60 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 406, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, combinations of one or more of the CDRs, the variable heavy and variable light chain sequences, and the heavy and light chain sequences set forth above, including all of them.

The invention also contemplates fragments of the antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51 or SEQ ID NO: 405. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53 or SEQ ID NO: 406.

In a further embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 55; SEQ ID NO: 56; and SEQ ID NO: 57 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 405.

In a further embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 58; SEQ ID NO: 59; and SEQ ID NO: 60 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 406.

The invention also contemplates antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions which include one or more of the antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 51; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 53; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 55; SEQ ID NO: 56; and SEQ ID NO: 57) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 51; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 58; SEQ ID NO: 59; and SEQ ID NO: 60) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 53.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the anti-NGF antibody fragment e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions is Fab1, comprising SEQ ID NO: 405 and SEQ ID NO: 406, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein or a monovalent agent analogous to MetMab. In one embodiment of the invention, antibody fragment Fab1 may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab21.

Antibody Fragment Fab2

The invention contemplates methods of treating pain using antibody fragment Fab2 or fragments thereof, for example as set forth below, in a therapeutically effective amount which inhibits the association of NGF with TrkA and further inhibit the association of NGF with p75. In one embodiment, the invention includes Fab antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 407) DIQMTQSPSTLSASVGDRVTITCQASQSIYSNLAWYQQKPGKAPKLLIYD ASTLESGVPSRFSGSGSGTEYTLTISSLQPDDFATYYCQQGFTVSDIDNA FGGGTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQ WKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVT HQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC.

The invention further includes Fab antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF and possessing a heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 408) EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTVSNYAVGWVRQAPGKGLEWVGI IGRNGNTWYASSARGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCARGYG RSVAYYVFNIWGPGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLV KDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQ TYICNVNHKPSNTKVDARVEPKSCDKTH.

The invention further contemplates antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 55; SEQ ID NO: 56; and SEQ ID NO: 57 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 407, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 58; SEQ ID NO: 59; and SEQ ID NO: 60 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 408, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, combinations of one or more of the CDRs, the variable heavy and variable light chain sequences, and the heavy and light chain sequences set forth above, including all of them.

The invention also contemplates fragments of the antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51 or SEQ ID NO: 407. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53 or SEQ ID NO: 408.

In a further embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 55; SEQ ID NO: 56; and SEQ ID NO: 57 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 407.

In a further embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 58; SEQ ID NO: 59; and SEQ ID NO: 60 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 408.

The invention also contemplates antibody fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions which include one or more of the antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to NGF e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 51; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 53; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 55; SEQ ID NO: 56; and SEQ ID NO: 57) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 51; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 58; SEQ ID NO: 59; and SEQ ID NO: 60) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 53.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the anti-NGF antibody fragment e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions is Fab2, comprising SEQ ID NO: 407 and SEQ ID NO: 408, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.

In another embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions may be produced via expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, plant cells, plants, animals or microbial systems such as bacterial or yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris. In one embodiment of the invention, antibody fragment Fab2 may be produced by expression in Pichia pastoris using protocols set forth herein in the examples.

In another embodiment, antibody fragments may be present in one or more of the following non-limiting forms: Fab, Fab′, F(ab′)2, Fv and single chain Fv antibody forms. In a preferred embodiment, the anti-NGF antibodies described herein further comprises the kappa constant light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 412) VAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNS QESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSF NRGEC.

In another preferred embodiment, the anti-NGF antibodies described herein e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions further comprises the gamma-1 constant heavy chain polypeptide sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:

(SEQ ID NO: 413) ASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGV HTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKRVEP KSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVS HEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYASTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGK EYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTC LVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRW QQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK.

In another embodiment, the invention contemplates an isolated anti-NGF antibody e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions comprising a V_(H) polypeptide sequence selected from: SEQ ID NO: 3, 13, 23, 33, 43, 53, 63, 73, 83, 93, 103, 113, 123, 133, 143, 153, 163, 173, 183, 193, or 402, or a variant thereof; and further comprising a V_(L) polypeptide sequence selected from: SEQ ID NO: 1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81, 91, 101, 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 161, 171, 181, 191, or 401, or a variant thereof, wherein one or more of the framework residues (FR residues) in said V_(H) or V_(L) polypeptide has been substituted with another amino acid residue resulting in an anti-NGF antibody that specifically binds NGF. The invention contemplates humanized and chimeric forms of these antibodies e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions. The chimeric antibodies may include an Fc derived from IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgG5, IgG6, IgG7, IgG8, IgG9, IgG10, IgG11, IgG12, IgG13, IgG14, IgG15, IgG16, IgG17, IgG18 or IgG19 constant regions.

In one embodiment of the invention, the antibodies or V_(H) or V_(L) polypeptides originate or are selected from one or more rabbit B cell populations prior to initiation of the humanization process referenced herein.

In another embodiment of the invention, the anti-NGF antibodies and fragments thereof e.g., for treatment or prevention of pain and pain associated conditions do not have binding specificity for p75 and/or TrkA and/or multimers thereof, and desirably will antagonize one or more of the biological effects elicited by NGF and/or more specifically biological functions elicited by NGF's interaction with p75 and/or TrkA. In a further embodiment of the invention, there is contemplated methods for treating pain comprising using the anti-NGF antibodies and fragments thereof to inhibit the association of NGF with p75 and/or TrkA. In another embodiment of the invention, there is contemplated methods for treating pain comprising using anti-NGF antibodies and fragments thereof to inhibit the association of NGF with TrkA and/or multimers thereof and/or antagonizes the biological effects thereof. In another embodiment of the invention, there is contemplated methods for treating pain comprising using anti-NGF antibodies and fragments thereof to inhibit the association of NGF with p75 and/or multimers thereof and the association of NGF with TrkA and/or multimers thereof, and antagonize the biological effects of p75 and TrkA. In another embodiment of the invention, there is contemplated methods for treating pain using NGF antagonists, e.g., anti-NGF antibodies or fragments thereof, that selectively inhibit the association of NGF with TrkA and/or multimers thereof, that do not appreciably inhibit the association of NGF with p75 and/or multimers thereof.

As stated supra, antibodies and fragments thereof may be modified post-translationally to add effector moieties such as chemical linkers, detectable moieties such as for example fluorescent dyes, enzymes, substrates, bioluminescent materials, radioactive materials, and chemiluminescent moieties, or functional moieties such as for example streptavidin, avidin, biotin, a cytotoxin, a cytotoxic agent, and radioactive materials. Regarding detectable moieties, further exemplary enzymes include, but are not limited to, horseradish peroxidase, acetylcholinesterase, alkaline phosphatase, beta-galactosidase and luciferase. Further exemplary fluorescent materials include, but are not limited to, rhodamine, fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate, umbelliferone, dichlorotriazinylamine, phycoerythrin and dansyl chloride. Further exemplary chemiluminescent moieties include, but are not limited to, luminol. Further exemplary bioluminescent materials include, but are not limited to, luciferin and aequorin. u Further exemplary radioactive materials include, but are not limited to, Iodine 125 (¹²⁵I), Carbon 14 (¹⁴C), Sulfur 35 (³⁵S), Tritium (³H) and Phosphorus 32 (³²P). Regarding functional moieties, exemplary cytotoxic agents include, but are not limited to, methotrexate, aminopterin, 6-mercaptopurine, 6-thioguanine, cytarabine, 5-fluorouracil decarbazine; alkylating agents such as mechlorethamine, thioepa chlorambucil, melphalan, carmustine (BSNU), mitomycin C, lomustine (CCNU), 1-methylnitrosourea, cyclothosphamide, mechlorethamine, busulfan, dibromomannitol, streptozotocin, mitomycin C, cis-dichlorodiamine platinum (II) (DDP) cisplatin and carboplatin (paraplatin); anthracyclines include daunorubicin (formerly daunomycin), doxorubicin (adriamycin), detorubicin, caminomycin, idarubicin, epirubicin, mitoxantrone and bisantrene; antibiotics include dactinomycin (actinomycin D), bleomycin, calicheamicin, mithramycin, and anthramycin (AMC); and antimytotic agents such as the vinca alkaloids, vincristine and vinblastine. Other cytotoxic agents include paclitaxel (taxol), ricin, pseudomonas exotoxin, gemcitabine, cytochalasin B, gramicidin D, ethidium bromide, emetine, etoposide, tenoposide, colchicin, dihydroxy anthracin dione, 1-dehydrotestosterone, glucocorticoids, procaine, tetracaine, lidocaine, propranolol, puromycin, procarbazine, hydroxyurea, asparaginase, corticosteroids, mytotane (O,P′-(DDD)), interferons, and mixtures of these cytotoxic agents. Further cytotoxic agents include, but are not limited to, chemotherapeutic agents such as carboplatin, cisplatin, paclitaxel, gemcitabine, calicheamicin, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, mitomycin C, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide, vincristine and bleomycin. Toxic enzymes from plants and bacteria such as ricin, diphtheria toxin and Pseudomonas toxin may be conjugated to the humanized or chimeric antibodies, or binding fragments thereof, to generate cell-type-specific-killing reagents (Youle, et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 77:5483 (1980); Gilliland, et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 77:4539 (1980); Krolick, et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 77:5419 (1980)). Other cytotoxic agents include cytotoxic ribonucleases as described by Goldenberg in U.S. Pat. No. 6,653,104. Embodiments of the invention also relate to radioimmunoconjugates where a radionuclide that emits alpha or beta particles is stably coupled to the antibody, or binding fragments thereof, with or without the use of a complex-forming agent. Such radionuclides include beta-emitters such as Phosphorus-32 (³²P), Scandium-47 (⁴⁷Sc), Copper-67 (⁶⁷Cu), Gallium-67 (⁶⁷Ga), Yttrium-88 (⁸⁸Y), Yttrium-90 (⁹⁰Y), Iodine-125 (¹²⁵I), Iodine-131 (¹³¹I), Samarium-153 (¹⁵³Sm), Lutetium-177 (¹⁷⁷Lu), Rhenium-186 (¹⁸⁶Re) or Rhenium-188 (⁸⁸Re), and alpha-emitters such as Astatine-211 (²¹¹At), Lead-212 (²¹²Pb), Bismuth-212 (²¹²Bi) or -213 (²¹³Bi) or Actinium-225 (²²⁵Ac).

Methods are known in the art for conjugating an antibody or binding fragment thereof to a detectable moiety and the like, such as for example those methods described by Hunter et al, Nature 144:945 (1962); David et al, Biochemistry 13:1014 (1974); Pain et al, J. Immunol. Meth. 40:219 (1981); and Nygren, J., Histochem. and Cytochem. 30:407 (1982).

Also, the antibodies or antibody fragments may be modified to affect half-life or circulation time such as by PEGylation. Antibodies or fragments thereof may also be chemically modified to provide additional advantages such as increased solubility, stability and circulating time (in vivo half-life) of the polypeptide, or decreased immunogenicity (See U.S. Pat. No. 4,179,337). The chemical moieties for derivatization may be selected from water soluble polymers such as polyethylene glycol, ethylene glycol/propylene glycol copolymers, carboxymethylcellulose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and the like. The antibodies and fragments thereof may be modified at random positions within the molecule, or at predetermined positions within the molecule and may include one, two, three or more attached chemical moieties.

The polymer may be of any molecular weight, and may be branched or unbranched. For polyethylene glycol, the preferred molecular weight is between about 1 kDa and about 100 kDa (the term “about” indicating that in preparations of polyethylene glycol, some molecules will weigh more, some less, than the stated molecular weight) for ease in handling and manufacturing. Other sizes may be used, depending on the desired therapeutic profile (e.g., the duration of sustained release desired, the effects, if any on biological activity, the ease in handling, the degree or lack of antigenicity and other known effects of the polyethylene glycol to a therapeutic protein or analog). For example, the polyethylene glycol may have an average molecular weight of about 200, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 5500, 6000, 6500, 7000, 7500, 8000, 8500, 9000, 9500, 10,000, 10,500, 11,000, 11,500, 12,000, 12,500, 13,000, 13,500, 14,000, 14,500, 15,000, 15,500, 16,000, 16,500, 17,000, 17,500, 18,000, 18,500, 19,000, 19,500, 20,000, 25,000, 30,000, 35,000, 40,000, 50,000, 55,000, 60,000, 65,000, 70,000, 75,000, 80,000, 85,000, 90,000, 95,000, or 100,000 kDa. Branched polyethylene glycols are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,575; Morpurgo et al., Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 56:59-72 (1996); Vorobjev et al., Nucleosides Nucleotides 18:2745-2750 (1999); and Caliceti et al., Bioconjug. Chem. 10:638-646 (1999), the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

There are a number of attachment methods available to those skilled in the art, See e.g., EP 0 401 384, herein incorporated by reference (coupling PEG to G-CSF), See also Malik et al., Exp. Hematol. 20:1028-1035 (1992) (reporting PEGylation of GM-CSF using tresyl chloride). For example, polyethylene glycol may be covalently bound through amino acid residues via a reactive group, such as, a free amino or carboxyl group. Reactive groups are those to which an activated polyethylene glycol molecule may be bound. The amino acid residues having a free amino group may include lysine residues and the N-terminal amino acid residues; those having a free carboxyl group may include aspartic acid residues glutamic acid residues and the C-terminal amino acid residue. Sulfhydryl groups may also be used as a reactive group for attaching the polyethylene glycol molecules. Preferred for therapeutic purposes is attachment at an amino group, such as attachment at the N-terminus or lysine group.

As suggested above, polyethylene glycol may be attached to proteins via linkage to any of a number of amino acid residues. For example, polyethylene glycol can be linked to polypeptides via covalent bonds to lysine, histidine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, or cysteine residues. One or more reaction chemistries may be employed to attach polyethylene glycol to specific amino acid residues (e.g., lysine, histidine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, or cysteine) or to more than one type of amino acid residue (e.g., lysine, histidine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, cysteine and combinations thereof).

Alternatively, antibodies or fragments thereof may have increased in vivo half lives via fusion with albumin (including but not limited to recombinant human serum albumin or fragments or variants thereof (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,969, issued Mar. 2, 1999, EP Patent 0 413 622, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,883, issued Jun. 16, 1998, herein incorporated by reference in their entirety)) or other circulating blood proteins such as transferrin or ferritin. In a preferred embodiment, polypeptides and/or antibodies of the present invention (including fragments or variants thereof) are fused with the mature form of human serum albumin (i.e., amino acids 1-585 of human serum albumin as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of EP Patent 0 322 094) which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Polynucleotides encoding fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention.

Embodiments described herein further include variants and equivalents that are substantially homologous to the antibodies, antibody fragments, diabodies, SMIPs, camelbodies, MetMab like monovalent antibody fragments, nanobodies, MetMab like monovalent agents, IgNAR, polypeptides, variable regions and CDRs set forth herein. These may contain, e.g., conservative substitution mutations, (i.e., the substitution of one or more amino acids by similar amino acids). For example, conservative substitution refers to the substitution of an amino acid with another within the same general class, e.g., one acidic amino acid with another acidic amino acid, one basic amino acid with another basic amino acid, or one neutral amino acid by another neutral amino acid. What is intended by a conservative amino acid substitution is well known in the art.

In another embodiment, the invention contemplates polypeptide sequences having at least 90% or greater sequence homology to any one or more of the polypeptide sequences of antibody fragments, variable regions and CDRs set forth herein. More preferably, the invention contemplates polypeptide sequences having at least 95% or greater sequence homology, even more preferably at least 98% or greater sequence homology, and still more preferably at least 99% or greater sequence homology to any one or more of the polypeptide sequences of antibody fragments, variable regions and CDRs set forth herein. Methods for determining homology between nucleic acid and amino acid sequences are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

In another embodiment, the invention further contemplates the above-recited polypeptide homologs of the antibody fragments, variable regions and CDRs set forth herein further having anti-NGF activity. Non-limiting examples of anti-NGF activity are set forth herein.

In another embodiment, the invention further contemplates the generation and use of anti-idiotypic antibodies that bind any of the foregoing sequences. In an exemplary embodiment, such an anti-idiotypic antibody could be administered to a subject who has received an anti-NGF antibody to modulate, reduce, or neutralize, the effect of the anti-NGF antibody. Such anti-idiotypic antibodies could also be useful e.g., for treatment of an autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of anti-NGF antibodies. A further exemplary use of such anti-idiotypic antibodies is for detection of the anti-NGF antibodies of the present invention, for example to monitor the levels of the anti-NGF antibodies present in a subject's blood or other bodily fluids.

The present invention also contemplates anti-NGF antibodies comprising any of the polypeptide or polynucleotide sequences described herein substituted for any of the other polynucleotide sequences described herein. For example, without limitation thereto, the present invention contemplates antibodies comprising the combination of any of the variable light chain and variable heavy chain sequences described herein, and further contemplates antibodies resulting from substitution of any of the CDR sequences described herein for any of the other CDR sequences described herein.

Additional Exemplary Embodiments of the Invention

In another embodiment, the invention contemplates one or more anti-human NGF antibodies or antibody fragments thereof which specifically bind to the same linear or conformational epitope(s) and/or competes for binding to the same or overlapping linear or conformational epitope(s) on an intact human NGF polypeptide or fragment thereof as an anti-human NGF antibody selected from Ab1, Ab2, Ab3, Ab4, Ab5, Ab6, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab11, Ab12, Ab13, Ab14, Ab15, Ab16, Ab17, Ab18, Ab19, Ab20, or Ab21. In a preferred embodiment, the anti-human NGF antibody or fragment thereof specifically binds to the same or overlapping linear or conformational epitope(s) and/or competes for binding to the same or overlapping linear or conformational epitope(s) on an intact human NGF polypeptide or a fragment thereof as Ab3, Ab4, Ab5, Ab6, Ab15, or Ab16.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is directed to chimeric or humanized antibodies and fragments thereof (including Fab fragments) having binding specificity for NGF and inhibiting biological activities mediated by the binding of NGF to the TrkA receptor.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of treating diseases or disorders associated with NGF by affecting those biological activities mediated by TrkA. In one embodiment, the disease or disorder associated with NGF is pain. A further listing of diseases and disorders associated with NGF is provided herein.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, full length antibodies and Fab fragments thereof are capable of significantly reducing pain in vivo in murine models as assessed by using Gait analysis (as described in Example 5 herein), compared to results obtained with controls.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention contemplates the use of Fab polypeptide sequences for the treatment of pain in a patient. Non-limiting types of pain that may be treated using Fab polypeptide sequences are provided elsewhere in this disclosure.

In another embodiment of the invention, chimeric or humanized anti-NGF antibodies and fragments thereof (including Fab fragments) having binding specificity for NGF inhibit TF1 cell proliferation.

The invention is also directed to an anti-NGF antibody that binds with the same or overlapping NGF epitope and/or competes with an anti-NGF antibody for binding to NGF as an antibody or antibody fragment disclosed herein, including but not limited to an anti-NGF antibody selected from Ab1, Ab2, Ab3, Ab4, Ab5, Ab6, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab11, Ab12, Ab13, Ab14, Ab15, Ab16, Ab17, Ab18, Ab19, or Ab20 or Ab21.

In another embodiment, the invention is also directed to an isolated anti-NGF antibody or antibody fragment comprising one or more of the CDRs contained in the V_(H) polypeptide sequences selected from: 3, 13, 23, 33, 43, 53, 63, 73, 83, 93, 103, 113, 123, 133, 143, 153, 163, 173, 183, 193, or 402, or a variant thereof, and/or one or more of the CDRs contained in the V_(L) polypeptide sequences selected from: 1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81, 91, 101, 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 161, 171, 181, 191, or 401, or a variant thereof.

In one embodiment of the invention, the anti-human NGF antibody discussed above comprises at least 2 complementarity determining regions (CDRs) in each the variable light and the variable heavy regions which are identical to those contained in an anti-human NGF antibody selected from the group consisting of Ab1, Ab2, Ab3, Ab4, Ab5, Ab6, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab11, Ab12, Ab13, Ab14, Ab15, Ab16, Ab17, Ab18, Ab19, or Ab20 or Ab21.

In a preferred embodiment, the anti-human NGF antibody discussed above comprises at least 2 complementarity determining regions (CDRs) in each the variable light and the variable heavy regions which are identical to those contained in Ab3, Ab4, Ab5, or Ab6. In another embodiment, all of the CDRs of the anti-human NGF antibody discussed above are identical to the CDRs contained in an anti-human NGF antibody selected from Ab1, Ab2, Ab3, Ab4, Ab5, Ab6, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab11, Ab12, Ab13, Ab14, Ab15, Ab16, Ab17, Ab18, Ab19, or Ab20 or Ab21. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, all of the CDRs of the anti-human NGF antibody discussed above are identical to the CDRs contained in an anti-human NGF antibody selected from Ab3, Ab4, Ab5, or Ab6.

The invention further contemplates that the one or more anti-human NGF antibodies discussed above are a glycosylated; that contain an Fc region that has been modified to alter effector function, half-life, proteolysis, and/or glycosylation; are human, humanized, single chain or chimeric; and are a humanized antibody derived from a rabbit (parent) anti-human NGF antibody.

The invention further contemplates one or more anti-human NGF antibodies wherein the framework regions (FRs) in the variable light region and the variable heavy regions of said antibody respectively are human FRs which are unmodified or which have been modified by the substitution of at most 2 or 3 human FR residues in the variable light or heavy chain region with the corresponding FR residues of the parent rabbit antibody, and wherein said human FRs have been derived from human variable heavy and light chain antibody sequences which have been selected from a library of human germline antibody sequences based on their high level of homology to the corresponding rabbit variable heavy or light chain regions relative to other human germline antibody sequences contained in the library.

In one embodiment of the invention, the anti-human NGF antibody or fragment specifically binds to NGF expressing human cells and/or to circulating soluble NGF molecules in vivo, including NGF expressed on or by human cells in a patient with a disease associated with cells that express NGF.

In another embodiment, the disease is selected from inflammatory pain, post-operative incision pain, complex regional pain syndrome, cancer pain, primary or metastatic bone cancer pain, fracture pain, osteoporotic fracture pain, pain resulting from burn, osteoporosis, gout joint pain, pain associated with sickle cell crises, and other nociceptic pain, as well as hepatocellular carcinoma, breast cancer, liver cirrhosis, neurogenic pain, neuropathic pain, nociceptic pain, trigeminal neuralgia, post-herpetic neuralgia, phantom limb pain, fibromyalgia, menstrual pain, ovarialgia, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, neurogenic pain, osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis pain, lower back pain, diabetic neuropathy, sciatica, or migraine.

The invention further contemplates anti-human NGF antibodies or fragments directly or indirectly attached to a detectable label or therapeutic agent.

The invention also contemplates one or more nucleic acid sequences which result in the expression of an anti-human NGF antibody or antibody fragment as set forth above, including those comprising, or alternatively consisting of, yeast or human preferred codons. The invention also contemplates vectors (including plasmids or recombinant viral vectors) comprising said nucleic acid sequence(s). The invention also contemplates host cells or recombinant host cells expressing at least one of the antibodies set forth above, including a mammalian, yeast, bacterial, and insect cells. In a preferred embodiment, the host cell is a yeast cell. In a further preferred embodiment, the yeast cell is a diploidal yeast cell. In a more preferred embodiment, the yeast cell is a Pichia yeast.

The invention also contemplates a method of treatment comprising administering to a patient with a disease or condition associated with NGF expressing cells a therapeutically effective amount of at least one anti-human NGF antibody or fragment described herein. The invention also contemplates that the treatment method may involve the administration of two or more anti-NGF antibodies or fragments thereof and disclosed herein. If more than one antibody is administered to the patient, the multiple antibodies may be administered simultaneously or concurrently, or may be staggered in their administration. The diseases that may be treated are presented in the non-limiting list set forth above and elsewhere herein. In a preferred embodiment, the disease is selected from cancer pain or neuropathic pain. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the disease is cancer pain. In another embodiment the treatment further includes the administration of another therapeutic agent or regimen selected from chemotherapy, radiotherapy, cytokine administration or gene therapy.

In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, another therapeutic agent or regimen includes Taxol (paclitaxel) or its derivatives, platinum compounds such as carboplatin or cisplatin, anthrocyclines such as doxorubicin, alkylating agents such as cyclophosphamide, anti-metabolites such as 5-fluorouracil, or etoposide.

The invention further contemplates a method of in vivo imaging which detects the presence of cells which express NGF comprising administering a diagnostically effective amount of at least one anti-human NGF antibody. In one embodiment, said administration further includes the administration of a radionuclide or fluorophore that facilitates detection of the antibody at NGF expressing disease sites. In another embodiment of the invention, the method of in vivo imaging is used to detect NGF expressing tumors or metastases, or tumors or metastases expressing TrkA and/or p75 capable of binding to NGF. In a further embodiment, the results of said in vivo imaging method are used to facilitate the design of an appropriate therapeutic regimen, including therapeutic regimens including radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a combination thereof.

Polynucleotides Encoding Anti-NGF Antibody Polypeptides

Antibody Ab1

The invention is further directed to polynucleotides encoding antibody polypeptides having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1:

(SEQ ID NO: 201) GCCCTTGTGATGACCCAGACTCCATCCTCCGTGTCTGCAGCTGTGGGAGG CACAGTCACCATCAATTGCCAGGCCAGTCAGAACATTTACAGCAATTTAG CCTGGTATCAACAGAGACCAGGGCAGCGTCCCAAGCTCCTGATCTATGGT GCATCCAATCTGGATGCTGGGGTCCCATCGCGGTTCAGAGGCAGTGGATC TGGGACAGAGTACACTCTCACCATCAGCGACCTGGAGTGTGACGATGTTG GCACTTACTACTGTCAAAGTGCTTTTGATAGTGATAGTACTGAAAATACT TTCGGCGGAGGGACCGAGGTGGTGGTCAAACGT.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2:

(SEQ ID NO: 202) GCCCTTGTGATGACCCAGACTCCATCCTCCGTGTCTGCAGCTGTGGGAGG CACAGTCACCATCAATTGCCAGGCCAGTCAGAACATTTACAGCAATTTAG CCTGGTATCAACAGAGACCAGGGCAGCGTCCCAAGCTCCTGATCTATGGT GCATCCAATCTGGATGCTGGGGTCCCATCGCGGTTCAGAGGCAGTGGATC TGGGACAGAGTACACTCTCACCATCAGCGACCTGGAGTGTGACGATGTTG GCACTTACTACTGTCAAAGTGCTTTTGATAGTGATAGTACTGAAAATACT TTCGGCGGAGGGACCGAGGTGGTGGTCAAACGTACGGTAGCGGCCCCATC TGTCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATCTGGAACTGCCT CTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAGGCCAAAGTACAG TGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTCCCAGGAGAGTGTCAC AGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTCAGCAGCACCCTGACGC TGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCTACGCCTGCGAAGTCACC CATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAGCTTCAACAGGGGAGAGTG TTAG.

In another embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3:

(SEQ ID NO: 203) CAGTCGCTGGAGGAGTCCGGGGGTCGCCTGGTCACGCCTGGGACACCCCT GACACTCACCTGCACAGTCTCTGGCTTCTCCCTCAGTAGCTATGCAATGA GCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAATGGATCGGAGTCATT ACTAGTATTGGTAGCACAGTCTACGCGAGCTGGGCGAAAGGCCGATTCAC CATCTCCAAAACCTCGACCACGGTGGATCTGAAAATCACCAGTCCGACAA CCGAGGACACGGCCACCTATTTCTGTGCCAGAGGCTACGATGACTATGAT GAGATGACCTACTTTAACATCTGGGGCCAGGGGACCCTCGTCACCGTCTC GAGC.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4:

(SEQ ID NO: 204) CAGTCGCTGGAGGAGTCCGGGGGTCGCCTGGTCACGCCTGGGACACCCCT GACACTCACCTGCACAGTCTCTGGCTTCTCCCTCAGTAGCTATGCAATGA GCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAATGGATCGGAGTCATT ACTAGTATTGGTAGCACAGTCTACGCGAGCTGGGCGAAAGGCCGATTCAC CATCTCCAAAACCTCGACCACGGTGGATCTGAAAATCACCAGTCCGACAA CCGAGGACACGGCCACCTATTTCTGTGCCAGAGGCTACGATGACTATGAT GAGATGACCTACTTTAACATCTGGGGCCAGGGGACCCTCGTCACCGTCTC GAGCGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCCATCGGTCTTCCCCCTGGCACCCTCCTCCA AGAGCACCTCTGGGGGCACAGCGGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTCAAGGACTAC TTCCCCGAACCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCCTGACCAGCGG CGTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCTACTCCCTCA GCAGCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACCCAGACCTACATC TGCAACGTGAATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACAAGAGAGTTGA GCCCAAATCTTGTGACAAAACTCACACATGCCCACCGTGCCCAGCACCTG AACTCCTGGGGGGACCGTCAGTCTTCCTCTTCCCCCCAAAACCCAAGGAC ACCCTCATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACATGCGTGGTGGTGGACGT GAGCCACGAAGACCCTGAGGTCAAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGACGGCGTGG AGGTGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTACGCCAGCACG TACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGAATGG CAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGCCCTCCCAGCCCCCATCG AGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAACCACAGGTGTAC ACCCTGCCCCCATCCCGGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTCAGCCTGAC CTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTATCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGGAGTGGGAGA GCAATGGGCAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCCGTGCTGGAC TCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCAAGCTCACCGTGGACAAGAGCAG GTGGCAGCAGGGGAACGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATGCATGAGGCTCTGC ACAACCACTACACGCAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCTCCGGGTAAATGA.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 205; SEQ ID NO: 206; and SEQ ID NO: 207 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 208; SEQ ID NO: 209; and SEQ ID NO: 210 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4.

The invention also contemplates polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 201 encoding the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 202 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 203 encoding the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 204 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 205; SEQ ID NO: 206; and SEQ ID NO: 207) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 208; SEQ ID NO: 209; and SEQ ID NO: 210) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, polynucleotides encoding Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF. With respect to antibody Ab1, the polynucleotides encoding the full length Ab1 antibody comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 202 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 and the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 204 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4.

Another embodiment of the invention contemplates these polynucleotides incorporated into an expression vector for expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO, HEK-293, or in fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells such as the yeast Pichia. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris. In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab1 following expression of the full-length polynucleotides in a suitable host. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab1 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression of Ab1 polynucleotides in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab2

The invention is further directed to polynucleotides encoding antibody polypeptides having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11:

(SEQ ID NO: 211) GACATCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCTTCCACCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGA CAGAGTCACCATCACTTGCCAGGCCAGTCAGAACATTTACAGCAACTTAG CCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGAAAAGCCCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTATGGT GCATCCAATCTGGATGCTGGAGTCCCATCAAGGTTCTCTGGCAGTGGATC TGGGACAGAGTACACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGATGATTTTG CAACTTACTACTGCCAAAGTGCTTTTGATAGTGATAGTACTGAAAACACT TTCGGCGGAGGAACCAAGGTGGAAATCAAACGT.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12:

(SEQ ID NO: 212) GACATCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCTTCCACCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGA CAGAGTCACCATCACTTGCCAGGCCAGTCAGAACATTTACAGCAACTTAG CCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGAAAAGCCCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTATGGT GCATCCAATCTGGATGCTGGAGTCCCATCAAGGTTCTCTGGCAGTGGATC TGGGACAGAGTACACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGATGATTTTG CAACTTACTACTGCCAAAGTGCTTTTGATAGTGATAGTACTGAAAACACT TTCGGCGGAGGAACCAAGGTGGAAATCAAACGTACGGTAGCGGCCCCATC TGTCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATCTGGAACTGCCT CTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAGGCCAAAGTACAG TGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTCCCAGGAGAGTGTCAC AGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTCAGCAGCACCCTGACGC TGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCTACGCCTGCGAAGTCACC CATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAGCTTCAACAGGGGAGAGTG TTAG.

In another embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13:

(SEQ ID NO: 213) GAGGTGCAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGGGGAGGCTTGGTCCAGCCTGGGGGGTC CCTGAGACTCTCCTGTGCAGCCTCTGGATTCACCGTCAGTAGCTATGCAA TGAGCTGGGTCCGTCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAGTGGGTCGGAGTC ATTACTAGTATTGGTAGCACAGTCTACGCGAGCAGCGCGAAAGGCCGATT CACCATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACCCTGTATCTTCAAATGAACA GCCTGAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCTAGAGGCTACGAT GACTATGATGAGATGACCTACTTTAACATCTGGGGCCAAGGGACCCTCGT CACCGTCTCGAGC.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14:

(SEQ ID NO: 214) GAGGTGCAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGGGGAGGCTTGGTCCAGCCTGGGGGGTC CCTGAGACTCTCCTGTGCAGCCTCTGGATTCACCGTCAGTAGCTATGCAA TGAGCTGGGTCCGTCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAGTGGGTCGGAGTC ATTACTAGTATTGGTAGCACAGTCTACGCGAGCAGCGCGAAAGGCCGATT CACCATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACCCTGTATCTTCAAATGAACA GCCTGAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCTAGAGGCTACGAT GACTATGATGAGATGACCTACTTTAACATCTGGGGCCAAGGGACCCTCGT CACCGTCTCGAGCGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCCATCGGTCTTCCCCCTGGCAC CCTCCTCCAAGAGCACCTCTGGGGGCACAGCGGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTC AAGGACTACTTCCCCGAACCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCCT GACCAGCGGCGTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCT ACTCCCTCAGCAGCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACCCAG ACCTACATCTGCAACGTGAATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACAA GAGAGTTGAGCCCAAATCTTGTGACAAAACTCACACATGCCCACCGTGCC CAGCACCTGAACTCCTGGGGGGACCGTCAGTCTTCCTCTTCCCCCCAAAA CCCAAGGACACCCTCATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACATGCGTGGT GGTGGACGTGAGCCACGAAGACCCTGAGGTCAAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGG ACGGCGTGGAGGTGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTAC GCCAGCACGTACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTG GCTGAATGGCAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGCCCTCCCAG CCCCCATCGAGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAACCA CAGGTGTACACCCTGCCCCCATCCCGGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGT CAGCCTGACCTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTATCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGG AGTGGGAGAGCAATGGGCAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCC GTGCTGGACTCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCAAGCTCACCGTGGA CAAGAGCAGGTGGCAGCAGGGGAACGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATGCATG AGGCTCTGCACAACCACTACACGCAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCTCCGGGT AAATGA.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 215; SEQ ID NO: 216; and SEQ ID NO: 217 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 218; SEQ ID NO: 219; and SEQ ID NO: 220 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14.

The invention also contemplates polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 211 encoding the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 212 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 213 encoding the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 214 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 215; SEQ ID NO: 216; and SEQ ID NO: 217) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 218; SEQ ID NO: 219; and SEQ ID NO: 220) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, polynucleotides encoding Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF. With respect to antibody Ab2, the polynucleotides encoding the full length Ab2 antibody comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 212 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12 and the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 214 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14.

Another embodiment of the invention contemplates these polynucleotides incorporated into an expression vector for expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO, HEK-293, or in fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells such as the yeast Pichia. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris. In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab2 following expression of the full-length polynucleotides in a suitable host. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab2 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression of Ab2 polynucleotides in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab3

The invention is further directed to polynucleotides encoding antibody polypeptides having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21:

(SEQ ID NO: 221) GCAGCCGTGCTGACCCAGACACCATCGCCCGTGTCTGCAGCTATGGGAGA CACAGTCACCATCAAGTGCCAGTCCAGTCAGAGTGTTTATAAGAACAACT ACTTATCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGCAGCCTCCCAGGCTCCTGATC TATGATGCATCCAATCTGCCATCTGGGGTCCCATCACGGTTCAGCGGCAG TGGATCTGGGACACAGTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCGGCGTGCAGTGTGACG ATGCTGCCACTTACTACTGTCTAGGCGATTATGATGATGATGCTGATAAT GCTTTCGGCGGAGGGACCGAGGTGGTGGTCAAACGT.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22:

(SEQ ID NO: 222) GCAGCCGTGCTGACCCAGACACCATCGCCCGTGTCTGCAGCTATGGGAGA CACAGTCACCATCAAGTGCCAGTCCAGTCAGAGTGTTTATAAGAACAACT ACTTATCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGCAGCCTCCCAGGCTCCTGATC TATGATGCATCCAATCTGCCATCTGGGGTCCCATCACGGTTCAGCGGCAG TGGATCTGGGACACAGTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCGGCGTGCAGTGTGACG ATGCTGCCACTTACTACTGTCTAGGCGATTATGATGATGATGCTGATAAT GCTTTCGGCGGAGGGACCGAGGTGGTGGTCAAACGTACGGTAGCGGCCCC ATCTGTCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATCTGGAACTG CCTCTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAGGCCAAAGTA CAGTGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTCCCAGGAGAGTGT CACAGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTCAGCAGCACCCTGA CGCTGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCTACGCCTGCGAAGTC ACCCATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAGCTTCAACAGGGGAGA GTGTTAG.

In another embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23:

(SEQ ID NO: 223) CAGTCGGTGGAGGAGTCCGGGGGTCGCCTGGTCACGCCTGGGACACCCCT GACACTCACCTGCACAGTCTCTGGATTCTCCCTCAGTAGCTATGTAATGA TCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAATACATCGGAATCACT TGGAGTGCTGGTACATACTACGCGAGCTGGGCGAAAGGCCGATTCACCAT CTCCAAAACCTCGTCGACCACGGTGGATCTGAAAATCACCAGTCCGACAA CCGAGGACACGGCCACCTATTTCTGTGCCGGAGGTGGTGGTAGTATTTAT GATATTTGGGGCCCGGGCACCCTGGTCACCGTCTCGAGC.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24:

(SEQ ID NO: 224) CAGTCGGTGGAGGAGTCCGGGGGTCGCCTGGTCACGCCTGGGACACCCCT GACACTCACCTGCACAGTCTCTGGATTCTCCCTCAGTAGCTATGTAATGA TCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAATACATCGGAATCACT TGGAGTGCTGGTACATACTACGCGAGCTGGGCGAAAGGCCGATTCACCAT CTCCAAAACCTCGTCGACCACGGTGGATCTGAAAATCACCAGTCCGACAA CCGAGGACACGGCCACCTATTTCTGTGCCGGAGGTGGTGGTAGTATTTAT GATATTTGGGGCCCGGGCACCCTGGTCACCGTCTCGAGCGCCTCCACCAA GGGCCCATCGGTCTTCCCCCTGGCACCCTCCTCCAAGAGCACCTCTGGGG GCACAGCGGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTCAAGGACTACTTCCCCGAACCGGTG ACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCCTGACCAGCGGCGTGCACACCTTCCC GGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCTACTCCCTCAGCAGCGTGGTGACCG TGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACCCAGACCTACATCTGCAACGTGAATCAC AAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACAAGAGAGTTGAGCCCAAATCTTGTGA CAAAACTCACACATGCCCACCGTGCCCAGCACCTGAACTCCTGGGGGGAC CGTCAGTCTTCCTCTTCCCCCCAAAACCCAAGGACACCCTCATGATCTCC CGGACCCCTGAGGTCACATGCGTGGTGGTGGACGTGAGCCACGAAGACCC TGAGGTCAAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGACGGCGTGGAGGTGCATAATGCCA AGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTACGCCAGCACGTACCGTGTGGTCAGC GTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGAATGGCAAGGAGTACAAGTG CAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGCCCTCCCAGCCCCCATCGAGAAAACCATCTCCA AAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAACCACAGGTGTACACCCTGCCCCCATCC CGGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTCAGCCTGACCTGCCTGGTCAAAGG CTTCTATCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGGAGTGGGAGAGCAATGGGCAGCCGG AGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCCGTGCTGGACTCCGACGGCTCCTTC TTCCTCTACAGCAAGCTCACCGTGGACAAGAGCAGGTGGCAGCAGGGGAA CGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATGCATGAGGCTCTGCACAACCACTACACGC AGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCTCCGGGTAAATGA.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 225; SEQ ID NO: 226; and SEQ ID NO: 227 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 228; SEQ ID NO: 229; and SEQ ID NO: 230 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24.

The invention also contemplates polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 221 encoding the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 222 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 223 encoding the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 224 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 225; SEQ ID NO: 226; and SEQ ID NO: 227) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 228; SEQ ID NO: 229; and SEQ ID NO: 230) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, polynucleotides encoding Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF. With respect to antibody Ab3, the polynucleotides encoding the full length Ab3 antibody comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 222 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22 and the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 224 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24.

Another embodiment of the invention contemplates these polynucleotides incorporated into an expression vector for expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO, HEK-293, or in fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells such as the yeast Pichia. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris. In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab3 following expression of the full-length polynucleotides in a suitable host. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab3 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression of Ab3 polynucleotides in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab4

The invention is further directed to polynucleotides encoding antibody polypeptides having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31:

(SEQ ID NO: 231) GACATCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCTTCCACCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGA CAGAGTCACCATCACTTGCCAGTCCAGTCAGAGTGTCTATAAGAACAACT ACTTATCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGAAAAGCCCCTAAGCTCCTGATC TATGATGCATCCAATCTGCCATCTGGAGTCCCATCAAGGTTCAGCGGCAG TGGATCTGGAACAGAATTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGATG ATTTTGCAACTTATTACTGCCTAGGCGATTATGATGATGATGCTGATAAT GCTTTCGGCGGAGGAACCAAGGTGGAAATCAAACGT.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32:

(SEQ ID NO: 232) GACATCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCTTCCACCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGA CAGAGTCACCATCACTTGCCAGTCCAGTCAGAGTGTCTATAAGAACAACT ACTTATCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGAAAAGCCCCTAAGCTCCTGATC TATGATGCATCCAATCTGCCATCTGGAGTCCCATCAAGGTTCAGCGGCAG TGGATCTGGAACAGAATTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGATG ATTTTGCAACTTATTACTGCCTAGGCGATTATGATGATGATGCTGATAAT GCTTTCGGCGGAGGAACCAAGGTGGAAATCAAACGTACGGTAGCGGCCCC ATCTGTCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATCTGGAACTG CCTCTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAGGCCAAAGTA CAGTGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTCCCAGGAGAGTGT CACAGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTCAGCAGCACCCTGA CGCTGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCTACGCCTGCGAAGTC ACCCATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAGCTTCAACAGGGGAGA GTGTTAG.

In another embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33:

(SEQ ID NO: 233) GAGGTGCAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGGGGAGGCTTGGTCCAGCCTGGGGGGTC CCTGAGACTCTCCTGTGCAGCCTCTGGATTCACCGTCAGTAGCTATGTAA TGATCTGGGTCCGTCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAGTACATCGGAATC ACTTGGAGTGCTGGTACATACTACGCGAGCAGTGCGAAAGGCCGATTCAC CATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACCCTGTATCTTCAAATGAACAGCC TGAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCTGGAGGTGGTGGTAGT ATCTATGATATTTGGGGCCAAGGGACCCTCGTCACCGTCTCGAGC.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34:

(SEQ ID NO: 234) GAGGTGCAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGGGGAGGCTTGGTCCAGCCTGGGGGGTC CCTGAGACTCTCCTGTGCAGCCTCTGGATTCACCGTCAGTAGCTATGTAA TGATCTGGGTCCGTCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAGTACATCGGAATC ACTTGGAGTGCTGGTACATACTACGCGAGCAGTGCGAAAGGCCGATTCAC CATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACCCTGTATCTTCAAATGAACAGCC TGAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCTGGAGGTGGTGGTAGT ATCTATGATATTTGGGGCCAAGGGACCCTCGTCACCGTCTCGAGCGCCTC CACCAAGGGCCCATCGGTCTTCCCCCTGGCACCCTCCTCCAAGAGCACCT CTGGGGGCACAGCGGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTCAAGGACTACTTCCCCGAA CCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCCTGACCAGCGGCGTGCACAC CTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCTACTCCCTCAGCAGCGTGG TGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACCCAGACCTACATCTGCAACGTG AATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACAAGAGAGTTGAGCCCAAATC TTGTGACAAAACTCACACATGCCCACCGTGCCCAGCACCTGAACTCCTGG GGGGACCGTCAGTCTTCCTCTTCCCCCCAAAACCCAAGGACACCCTCATG ATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACATGCGTGGTGGTGGACGTGAGCCACGA AGACCCTGAGGTCAAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGACGGCGTGGAGGTGCATA ATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTACGCCAGCACGTACCGTGTG GTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGAATGGCAAGGAGTA CAAGTGCAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGCCCTCCCAGCCCCCATCGAGAAAACCA TCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAACCACAGGTGTACACCCTGCCC CCATCCCGGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTCAGCCTGACCTGCCTGGT CAAAGGCTTCTATCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGGAGTGGGAGAGCAATGGGC AGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCCGTGCTGGACTCCGACGGC TCCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCAAGCTCACCGTGGACAAGAGCAGGTGGCAGCA GGGGAACGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATGCATGAGGCTCTGCACAACCACT ACACGCAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCTCCGGGTAAATGA.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 235; SEQ ID NO: 236; and SEQ ID NO: 237 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 238; SEQ ID NO: 239; and SEQ ID NO: 240 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34.

The invention also contemplates polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 231 encoding the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 232 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 233 encoding the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 234 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 235; SEQ ID NO: 236; and SEQ ID NO: 237) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 238; SEQ ID NO: 239; and SEQ ID NO: 240) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, polynucleotides encoding Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF. With respect to antibody Ab4, the polynucleotides encoding the full length Ab4 antibody comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 232 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 and the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 234 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34.

Another embodiment of the invention contemplates these polynucleotides incorporated into an expression vector for expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO, HEK-293, or in fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells such as the yeast Pichia. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris. In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab4 following expression of the full-length polynucleotides in a suitable host. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab4 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression of Ab4 polynucleotides in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab5

The invention is further directed to polynucleotides encoding antibody polypeptides having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41:

(SEQ ID NO: 241) GCCTATGATATGACCCAGACTCCAGCCTCTGTGGAGGTAGCTGTGGGAGG CACAGTCACCATCAAGTGCCAGGCCAGTCAGAGCATTTACAGCAATTTAG CCTGGTATCAGCAGAGACCAGGGCAGCCTCCCAAGCTCCTGATCTATGAT GCATCCACTCTGGAATCTGGGGTCCCATCGCGGTTCAAAGGCAGTGGATC TGGGACAGAGTACACTCTCACCATCAGCGGCGTGGAGTGTGCCGATGCTG CCTCTTACTACTGTCAACAGGGTTTTACTGTTAGTGATATTGATAATGCT TTCGGCGGAGGGACCGAGGTGGTGGTCAAACGT.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42:

(SEQ ID NO: 242) GCCTATGATATGACCCAGACTCCAGCCTCTGTGGAGGTAGCTGTGGGAGG CACAGTCACCATCAAGTGCCAGGCCAGTCAGAGCATTTACAGCAATTTAG CCTGGTATCAGCAGAGACCAGGGCAGCCTCCCAAGCTCCTGATCTATGAT GCATCCACTCTGGAATCTGGGGTCCCATCGCGGTTCAAAGGCAGTGGATC TGGGACAGAGTACACTCTCACCATCAGCGGCGTGGAGTGTGCCGATGCTG CCTCTTACTACTGTCAACAGGGTTTTACTGTTAGTGATATTGATAATGCT TTCGGCGGAGGGACCGAGGTGGTGGTCAAACGTACGGTAGCGGCCCCATC TGTCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATCTGGAACTGCCT CTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAGGCCAAAGTACAG TGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTCCCAGGAGAGTGTCAC AGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTCAGCAGCACCCTGACGC TGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCTACGCCTGCGAAGTCACC CATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAGCTTCAACAGGGGAGAGTG TTAG.

In another embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43:

(SEQ ID NO: 243) CAGTCGGTGGAGGAGTCCGGGGGTCGCCTGGTCACGCCTGGGACACCCCT GACACTCACCTGCACAGTCTCTGGATTCTCCCTCAGTAACTATGCAGTGG GCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAATGGATCGGAATCATT GGTCGTAATGGTAACACATGGTACGCGAGCTGGGCAAGAGGCCGATTCAC CATCTCCAAAACCTCGACCACGGTGGATCTGAAAATCACCAGTCCGACAA GCGAGGACACGGCCACATATTTCTGTGCCAGAGGATATGGCCGTAGTGTT GCTTATTACGTCTTTAACATCTGGGGCCCAGGCACCCTCGTCACCGTCTC GAGC.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44:

(SEQ ID NO: 244) CAGTCGGTGGAGGAGTCCGGGGGTCGCCTGGTCACGCCTGGGACACCCCT GACACTCACCTGCACAGTCTCTGGATTCTCCCTCAGTAACTATGCAGTGG GCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAATGGATCGGAATCATT GGTCGTAATGGTAACACATGGTACGCGAGCTGGGCAAGAGGCCGATTCAC CATCTCCAAAACCTCGACCACGGTGGATCTGAAAATCACCAGTCCGACAA GCGAGGACACGGCCACATATTTCTGTGCCAGAGGATATGGCCGTAGTGTT GCTTATTACGTCTTTAACATCTGGGGCCCAGGCACCCTCGTCACCGTCTC GAGCGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCCATCGGTCTTCCCCCTGGCACCCTCCTCCA AGAGCACCTCTGGGGGCACAGCGGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTCAAGGACTAC TTCCCCGAACCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCCTGACCAGCGG CGTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCTACTCCCTCA GCAGCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACCCAGACCTACATC TGCAACGTGAATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACAAGAGAGTTGA GCCCAAATCTTGTGACAAAACTCACACATGCCCACCGTGCCCAGCACCTG AACTCCTGGGGGGACCGTCAGTCTTCCTCTTCCCCCCAAAACCCAAGGAC ACCCTCATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACATGCGTGGTGGTGGACGT GAGCCACGAAGACCCTGAGGTCAAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGACGGCGTGG AGGTGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTACGCCAGCACG TACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGAATGG CAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGCCCTCCCAGCCCCCATCG AGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAACCACAGGTGTAC ACCCTGCCCCCATCCCGGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTCAGCCTGAC CTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTATCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGGAGTGGGAGA GCAATGGGCAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCCGTGCTGGAC TCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCAAGCTCACCGTGGACAAGAGCAG GTGGCAGCAGGGGAACGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATGCATGAGGCTCTGC ACAACCACTACACGCAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCTCCGGGTAAATGA.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 245; SEQ ID NO: 246; and SEQ ID NO: 247 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 248; SEQ ID NO: 249; and SEQ ID NO: 250 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44.

The invention also contemplates polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 241 encoding the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 242 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 243 encoding the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 244 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 245; SEQ ID NO: 246; and SEQ ID NO: 247) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 248; SEQ ID NO: 249; and SEQ ID NO: 250) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, polynucleotides encoding Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF. With respect to antibody Ab5, the polynucleotides encoding the full length Ab5 antibody comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 242 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42 and the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 244 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44.

Another embodiment of the invention contemplates these polynucleotides incorporated into an expression vector for expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO, HEK-293, or in fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells such as the yeast Pichia. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris. In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab5 following expression of the full-length polynucleotides in a suitable host. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab5 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression of Ab5 polynucleotides in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab6

The invention is further directed to polynucleotides encoding antibody polypeptides having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51:

(SEQ ID NO: 251) GACATCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCTTCCACCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGA CAGAGTCACCATCACTTGCCAGGCCAGTCAGAGCATTTACAGCAATCTTG CCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGAAAAGCCCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTATGAT GCATCCACTCTGGAATCTGGAGTCCCATCAAGGTTCAGCGGCAGTGGATC TGGGACAGAGTACACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGATGATTTTG CAACTTACTACTGCCAACAGGGTTTTACTGTTAGTGATATTGATAATGCT TTCGGCGGAGGAACCAAGGTGGAAATCAAACGT.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52:

(SEQ ID NO: 252) GACATCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCTTCCACCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGA CAGAGTCACCATCACTTGCCAGGCCAGTCAGAGCATTTACAGCAATCTTG CCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGAAAAGCCCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTATGAT GCATCCACTCTGGAATCTGGAGTCCCATCAAGGTTCAGCGGCAGTGGATC TGGGACAGAGTACACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGATGATTTTG CAACTTACTACTGCCAACAGGGTTTTACTGTTAGTGATATTGATAATGCT TTCGGCGGAGGAACCAAGGTGGAAATCAAACGTACGGTAGCGGCCCCATC TGTCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATCTGGAACTGCCT CTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAGGCCAAAGTACAG TGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTCCCAGGAGAGTGTCAC AGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTCAGCAGCACCCTGACGC TGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCTACGCCTGCGAAGTCACC CATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAGCTTCAACAGGGGAGAGTG TTAG.

In another embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53:

(SEQ ID NO: 253) GAGGTGCAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGGGGAGGCTTGGTCCAGCCTGGGGGGTC CCTGAGACTCTCCTGTGCAGCCTCTGGATTCACCGTCAGTAACTATGCAG TGGGCTGGGTCCGTCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAGTGGGTCGGAATC ATTGGTCGTAATGGTAACACATGGTACGCGAGCTCTGCAAGAGGCCGATT CACCATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACCCTGTATCTTCAAATGAACA GCCTGAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCTAGAGGATATGGC CGTAGTGTTGCTTATTACGTCTTTAACATCTGGGGCCCAGGGACCCTCGT CACCGTCTCGAGC.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54:

(SEQ ID NO: 254) GAGGTGCAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGGGGAGGCTTGGTCCAGCCTGGGGGGTC CCTGAGACTCTCCTGTGCAGCCTCTGGATTCACCGTCAGTAACTATGCAG TGGGCTGGGTCCGTCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAGTGGGTCGGAATC ATTGGTCGTAATGGTAACACATGGTACGCGAGCTCTGCAAGAGGCCGATT CACCATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACCCTGTATCTTCAAATGAACA GCCTGAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCTAGAGGATATGGC CGTAGTGTTGCTTATTACGTCTTTAACATCTGGGGCCCAGGGACCCTCGT CACCGTCTCGAGCGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCCATCGGTCTTCCCCCTGGCAC CCTCCTCCAAGAGCACCTCTGGGGGCACAGCGGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTC AAGGACTACTTCCCCGAACCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCCT GACCAGCGGCGTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCT ACTCCCTCAGCAGCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACCCAG ACCTACATCTGCAACGTGAATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACAA GAGAGTTGAGCCCAAATCTTGTGACAAAACTCACACATGCCCACCGTGCC CAGCACCTGAACTCCTGGGGGGACCGTCAGTCTTCCTCTTCCCCCCAAAA CCCAAGGACACCCTCATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACATGCGTGGT GGTGGACGTGAGCCACGAAGACCCTGAGGTCAAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGG ACGGCGTGGAGGTGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTAC GCCAGCACGTACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTG GCTGAATGGCAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGCCCTCCCAG CCCCCATCGAGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAACCA CAGGTGTACACCCTGCCCCCATCCCGGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGT CAGCCTGACCTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTATCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGG AGTGGGAGAGCAATGGGCAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCC GTGCTGGACTCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCAAGCTCACCGTGGA CAAGAGCAGGTGGCAGCAGGGGAACGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATGCATG AGGCTCTGCACAACCACTACACGCAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCTCCGGGT AAATGA.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 255; SEQ ID NO: 256; and SEQ ID NO: 257 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 258; SEQ ID NO: 259; and SEQ ID NO: 260 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54.

The invention also contemplates polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 251 encoding the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 252 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 253 encoding the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 254 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 255; SEQ ID NO: 256; and SEQ ID NO: 257) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 258; SEQ ID NO: 259; and SEQ ID NO: 260) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, polynucleotides encoding Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF. With respect to antibody Ab6, the polynucleotides encoding the full length Ab6 antibody comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 252 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52 and the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 254 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54.

Another embodiment of the invention contemplates these polynucleotides incorporated into an expression vector for expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO, HEK-293, or in fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells such as the yeast Pichia. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris. In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab6 following expression of the full-length polynucleotides in a suitable host. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab6 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression of Ab6 polynucleotides in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab7

The invention is further directed to polynucleotides encoding antibody polypeptides having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 61:

(SEQ ID NO: 261) GCCGATGTTGTGATGACCCAGACTCCAGCCTCCGTGTCTCAACCTGTGGG AGGCACAGTCACCATCAAGTGCCAGGCCAGTGAGGACATTTATAACTTAT TGGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGCAGCCTCCCAAGCTCCTGATCTAT TCTGCATCCACTCTGGCATCTGGGGTCCCATCGCGGTTCAAAGGCAGTGG ATCTGGGACAGAGTACACTCTCACCATCAGCGGCCTGGAGTGTGCCGATG CTGCCACTTACTACTGTCAAAACAATTATCTTGTTACTACTTATGGTGTT GCTTTCGGCGGAGGGACCGAGGTGGTGGTCAAACGT.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 62:

(SEQ ID NO: 262) GCCGATGTTGTGATGACCCAGACTCCAGCCTCCGTGTCTCAACCTGTGGG AGGCACAGTCACCATCAAGTGCCAGGCCAGTGAGGACATTTATAACTTAT TGGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGCAGCCTCCCAAGCTCCTGATCTAT TCTGCATCCACTCTGGCATCTGGGGTCCCATCGCGGTTCAAAGGCAGTGG ATCTGGGACAGAGTACACTCTCACCATCAGCGGCCTGGAGTGTGCCGATG CTGCCACTTACTACTGTCAAAACAATTATCTTGTTACTACTTATGGTGTT GCTTTCGGCGGAGGGACCGAGGTGGTGGTCAAACGTACGGTAGCGGCCCC ATCTGTCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATCTGGAACTG CCTCTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAGGCCAAAGTA CAGTGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTCCCAGGAGAGTGT CACAGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTCAGCAGCACCCTGA CGCTGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCTACGCCTGCGAAGTC ACCCATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAGCTTCAACAGGGGAGA GTGTTAG.

In another embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63:

(SEQ ID NO: 263) CAGGAGCAGCTGAAGGAGTCCGGGGGTCGCCTGGTCACGCCTGGGACAC CCCTGACACTCACCTGTACAGTCTCTGGATTCTCCCTCAGTAGCTATGC AATGATCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAATACATCGGA TACATTGATACTGATACTAGCGCATACTACGCGAGCTGGGTGAAAGGCC GATTCACCATCTCCAGAACCTCGACCACGGTGGATCTCAAAATCACTAG TCCGACAACCGAGGACACGGCCACCTATTTCTGTGCCAGATCTTATGCT GCTTATGGTGGTTATCCTGCTACTTTTGATCCCTGGGGCCCAGGCACCC TGGTCACCGTCTCGAGC.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64:

(SEQ ID NO: 264) CAGGAGCAGCTGAAGGAGTCCGGGGGTCGCCTGGTCACGCCTGGGACAC CCCTGACACTCACCTGTACAGTCTCTGGATTCTCCCTCAGTAGCTATGC AATGATCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAATACATCGGA TACATTGATACTGATACTAGCGCATACTACGCGAGCTGGGTGAAAGGCC GATTCACCATCTCCAGAACCTCGACCACGGTGGATCTCAAAATCACTAG TCCGACAACCGAGGACACGGCCACCTATTTCTGTGCCAGATCTTATGCT GCTTATGGTGGTTATCCTGCTACTTTTGATCCCTGGGGCCCAGGCACCC TGGTCACCGTCTCGAGCGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCCATCGGTCTTCCCCCT GGCACCCTCCTCCAAGAGCACCTCTGGGGGCACAGCGGCCCTGGGCTGC CTGGTCAAGGACTACTTCCCCGAACCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAG GCGCCCTGACCAGCGGCGTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTC AGGACTCTACTCCCTCAGCAGCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTG GGCACCCAGACCTACATCTGCAACGTGAATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCA AGGTGGACAAGAGAGTTGAGCCCAAATCTTGTGACAAAACTCACACATG CCCACCGTGCCCAGCACCTGAACTCCTGGGGGGACCGTCAGTCTTCCTC TTCCCCCCAAAACCCAAGGACACCCTCATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGG TCACATGCGTGGTGGTGGACGTGAGCCACGAAGACCCTGAGGTCAAGTT CAACTGGTACGTGGACGGCGTGGAGGTGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCG CGGGAGGAGCAGTACGCCAGCACGTACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCG TCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGAATGGCAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTC CAACAAAGCCCTCCCAGCCCCCATCGAGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAA GGGCAGCCCCGAGAACCACAGGTGTACACCCTGCCCCCATCCCGGGAGG AGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTCAGCCTGACCTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTA TCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGGAGTGGGAGAGCAATGGGCAGCCGGAGAAC AACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCCGTGCTGGACTCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCC TCTACAGCAAGCTCACCGTGGACAAGAGCAGGTGGCAGCAGGGGAACGT CTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATGCATGAGGCTCTGCACAACCACTACACGCAG AAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCTCCGGGTAAATGA.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 265; SEQ ID NO: 266; and SEQ ID NO: 267 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 61 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 62.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 268; SEQ ID NO: 269; and SEQ ID NO: 270 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64.

The invention also contemplates polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 261 encoding the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 61; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 262 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 62; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 263 encoding the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 264 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 265; SEQ ID NO: 266; and SEQ ID NO: 267) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 61 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 62; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 268; SEQ ID NO: 269; and SEQ ID NO: 270) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, polynucleotides encoding Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF. With respect to antibody Ab7, the polynucleotides encoding the full length Ab7 antibody comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 262 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 62 and the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 264 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64.

Another embodiment of the invention contemplates these polynucleotides incorporated into an expression vector for expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO, HEK-293, or in fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells such as the yeast Pichia. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris. In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab7 following expression of the full-length polynucleotides in a suitable host. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab7 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression of Ab7 polynucleotides in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab8

The invention is further directed to polynucleotides encoding antibody polypeptides having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71:

(SEQ ID NO: 271) GACATCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCATCCTCCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGA CAGAGTCACCATCACTTGCCAGGCCAGTGAGGACATTTACAACTTATTG GCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGAAAGTCCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTATT CTGCATCCACTCTGGCATCTGGGGTCCCATCTCGTTTCAGTGGCAGTGG ATCTGGGACAGATTACACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGAAGAT GTTGCAACTTATTACTGTCAAAACAACTATCTTGTTACTACTTATGGTG TTGCTTTCGGCGGAGGAACCAAGGTGGAAATCAAACGT.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 72:

(SEQ ID NO: 272) GACATCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCATCCTCCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAG ACAGAGTCACCATCACTTGCCAGGCCAGTGAGGACATTTACAACTTATT GGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGAAAGTCCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTAT TCTGCATCCACTCTGGCATCTGGGGTCCCATCTCGTTTCAGTGGCAGTG GATCTGGGACAGATTACACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGAAGA TGTTGCAACTTATTACTGTCAAAACAACTATCTTGTTACTACTTATGGT GTTGCTTTCGGCGGAGGAACCAAGGTGGAAATCAAACGTACGGTAGCGG CCCCATCTGTCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATCTGG AACTGCCTCTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAGGCC AAAGTACAGTGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTCCCAGG AGAGTGTCACAGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTCAGCAG CACCCTGACGCTGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCTACGCC TGCGAAGTCACCCATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAGCTTCA ACAGGGGAGAGTGTTAG.

In another embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73:

(SEQ ID NO: 273) CAGGTACAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGTGGAGGCGTGGTCCAGCCTGGGAGGT CCCTGAGACTCTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGATTCACCTTCAGTAGCTATGC AATGATCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAATACATCGGA TACATTGATACTGATACTAGCGCATACTACGCAAGCAGTGTGAAAGGCC GATTCACCATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACGCTGTACCTGCAAAT GTCTAGCCTGAGAGCCGAGGACACGGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCTAGATCT TATGCTGCTTATGGTGGTTATCCTGCTACTTTTGATCCCTGGGGCCAAG GTACCCTCGTCACCGTCTCGAGC.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74:

(SEQ ID NO: 274) CAGGTACAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGTGGAGGCGTGGTCCAGCCTGGGAGGT CCCTGAGACTCTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGATTCACCTTCAGTAGCTATGC AATGATCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAATACATCGGA TACATTGATACTGATACTAGCGCATACTACGCAAGCAGTGTGAAAGGCC GATTCACCATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACGCTGTACCTGCAAAT GTCTAGCCTGAGAGCCGAGGACACGGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCTAGATCT TATGCTGCTTATGGTGGTTATCCTGCTACTTTTGATCCCTGGGGCCAAG GTACCCTCGTCACCGTCTCGAGCGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCCATCGGTCTT CCCCCTGGCACCCTCCTCCAAGAGCACCTCTGGGGGCACAGCGGCCCTG GGCTGCCTGGTCAAGGACTACTTCCCCGAACCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGA ACTCAGGCGCCCTGACCAGCGGCGTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACA GTCCTCAGGACTCTACTCCCTCAGCAGCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGC AGCTTGGGCACCCAGACCTACATCTGCAACGTGAATCACAAGCCCAGCA ACACCAAGGTGGACAAGAGAGTTGAGCCCAAATCTTGTGACAAAACTCA CACATGCCCACCGTGCCCAGCACCTGAACTCCTGGGGGGACCGTCAGTC TTCCTCTTCCCCCCAAAACCCAAGGACACCCTCATGATCTCCCGGACCC CTGAGGTCACATGCGTGGTGGTGGACGTGAGCCACGAAGACCCTGAGGT CAAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGACGGCGTGGAGGTGCATAATGCCAAGACA AAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTACGCCAGCACGTACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCC TCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGAATGGCAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAA GGTCTCCAACAAAGCCCTCCCAGCCCCCATCGAGAAAACCATCTCCAAA GCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAACCACAGGTGTACACCCTGCCCCCATCCC GGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTCAGCCTGACCTGCCTGGTCAAAGG CTTCTATCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGGAGTGGGAGAGCAATGGGCAGCCG GAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCCGTGCTGGACTCCGACGGCTCCT TCTTCCTCTACAGCAAGCTCACCGTGGACAAGAGCAGGTGGCAGCAGGG GAACGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATGCATGAGGCTCTGCACAACCACTAC ACGCAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCTCCGGGTAAATGA.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 275; SEQ ID NO: 276; and SEQ ID NO: 277 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 72.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 278; SEQ ID NO: 279; and SEQ ID NO: 280 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74.

The invention also contemplates polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 271 encoding the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 272 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 72; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 273 encoding the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 274 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 275; SEQ ID NO: 276; and SEQ ID NO: 277) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 72; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 278; SEQ ID NO: 279; and SEQ ID NO: 280) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, polynucleotides encoding Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF. With respect to antibody Ab8, the polynucleotides encoding the full length Ab8 antibody comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 272 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 72 and the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 274 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74.

Another embodiment of the invention contemplates these polynucleotides incorporated into an expression vector for expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO, HEK-293, or in fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells such as the yeast Pichia. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris. In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab8 following expression of the full-length polynucleotides in a suitable host. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab8 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression of Ab8 polynucleotides in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab9

The invention is further directed to polynucleotides encoding antibody polypeptides having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 81:

(SEQ ID NO: 281) GCCTATGATATGACCCAGACTCCAGCCTCCGTGTCTGCAGCTGTGGGAG GCACAGTCACCATCAAGTGCCAGGCCAGTGAGAACATTGGTAGCTACTT AGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGCAGCCTCCCGAACTCCTGATCTAC AGGGCGTCCACTCTGGCATCTGGGGTCCCATCGCGGTTCAAAGGCAGTG GATCTGGGACACAGTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCGGCGTGGAGTGTGCCGA TGCTGCCACTTACTACTGTCAACAGGGTTATAATAGTGAGAATCTTGAT AATGCTTTCGGCGGAGGGACCGAGGTGGTGGTCAAACGT.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 82:

(SEQ ID NO: 282) GCCTATGATATGACCCAGACTCCAGCCTCCGTGTCTGCAGCTGTGGGAG GCACAGTCACCATCAAGTGCCAGGCCAGTGAGAACATTGGTAGCTACTT AGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGCAGCCTCCCGAACTCCTGATCTAC AGGGCGTCCACTCTGGCATCTGGGGTCCCATCGCGGTTCAAAGGCAGTG GATCTGGGACACAGTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCGGCGTGGAGTGTGCCGA TGCTGCCACTTACTACTGTCAACAGGGTTATAATAGTGAGAATCTTGAT AATGCTTTCGGCGGAGGGACCGAGGTGGTGGTCAAACGTACGGTAGCGG CCCCATCTGTCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATCTGG AACTGCCTCTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAGGCC AAAGTACAGTGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTCCCAGG AGAGTGTCACAGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTCAGCAG CACCCTGACGCTGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCTACGCC TGCGAAGTCACCCATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAGCTTCA ACAGGGGAGAGTGTTAG.

In another embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 83:

(SEQ ID NO: 283) CAGTCGGTGGAGGAGTCCGGGGGTCGCCTGGTCACGCCTGGGACACCCC TGACACTCACCTGCACAGTCTCTGGAATCGACCTCAGTATGTATTCAAT GGGCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAATACATCGGATGG ATTAGTTATGGTGGTACTGCATATTACGCGAGCTGGGCGAAGGGCCGAT TCACCATCTCCAAAACCTCGACCACGGTGGAGCTGAAGATCACCAGTCC GACAATCGAGGACACGGCCACCTATTTCTGTGCCAGAGAGACTCCTGTT AATTATTATTTGGACATTTGGGGCCAGGGGACCCTCGTCACCGTCTCGA GC.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 84:

(SEQ ID NO: 284) CAGTCGGTGGAGGAGTCCGGGGGTCGCCTGGTCACGCCTGGGACACCCC TGACACTCACCTGCACAGTCTCTGGAATCGACCTCAGTATGTATTCAAT GGGCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAATACATCGGATGG ATTAGTTATGGTGGTACTGCATATTACGCGAGCTGGGCGAAGGGCCGAT TCACCATCTCCAAAACCTCGACCACGGTGGAGCTGAAGATCACCAGTCC GACAATCGAGGACACGGCCACCTATTTCTGTGCCAGAGAGACTCCTGTT AATTATTATTTGGACATTTGGGGCCAGGGGACCCTCGTCACCGTCTCGA GCGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCCATCGGTCTTCCCCCTGGCACCCTCCTCCAA GAGCACCTCTGGGGGCACAGCGGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTCAAGGACTAC TTCCCCGAACCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCCTGACCAGCG GCGTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCTACTCCCT CAGCAGCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACCCAGACCTAC ATCTGCAACGTGAATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACAAGAGAG TTGAGCCCAAATCTTGTGACAAAACTCACACATGCCCACCGTGCCCAGC ACCTGAACTCCTGGGGGGACCGTCAGTCTTCCTCTTCCCCCCAAAACCC AAGGACACCCTCATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACATGCGTGGTGG TGGACGTGAGCCACGAAGACCCTGAGGTCAAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGA CGGCGTGGAGGTGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTAC GCCAGCACGTACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACT GGCTGAATGGCAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGCCCTCCC AGCCCCCATCGAGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAA CCACAGGTGTACACCCTGCCCCCATCCCGGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACC AGGTCAGCCTGACCTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTATCCCAGCGACATCGC CGTGGAGTGGGAGAGCAATGGGCAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACG CCTCCCGTGCTGGACTCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCAAGCTCA CCGTGGACAAGAGCAGGTGGCAGCAGGGGAACGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGT GATGCATGAGGCTCTGCACAACCACTACACGCAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTG TCTCCGGGTAAATGA.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 285; SEQ ID NO: 286; and SEQ ID NO: 287 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 81 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 82.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 288; SEQ ID NO: 289; and SEQ ID NO: 290 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 83 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 84.

The invention also contemplates polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 281 encoding the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 81; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 282 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 82; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 283 encoding the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 83; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 284 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 84; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 285; SEQ ID NO: 286; and SEQ ID NO: 287) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 81 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 82; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 288; SEQ ID NO: 289; and SEQ ID NO: 290) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 83 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 84.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, polynucleotides encoding Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF. With respect to antibody Ab9, the polynucleotides encoding the full length Ab9 antibody comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 282 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 82 and the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 284 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 84.

Another embodiment of the invention contemplates these polynucleotides incorporated into an expression vector for expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO, HEK-293, or in fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells such as the yeast Pichia. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris. In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab9 following expression of the full-length polynucleotides in a suitable host. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab9 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression of Ab9 polynucleotides in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab11

The invention is further directed to polynucleotides encoding antibody polypeptides having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 91:

(SEQ ID NO: 291) GCCTATGATATGACCCAGTCTCCATCCTCCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGA CAGAGTCACCATCACTTGCCAGGCCAGTGAGAACATTGGTAGCTACTTA GCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGAAAGTCCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTATA GGGCTTCCACTCTGGCATCTGGGGTCCCATCTCGTTTCAGTGGCAGTGG ATCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGAAGAT GTTGCAACTTATTACTGTCAACAGGGTTACAATAGTGAGAATCTTGATA ATGCTTTCGGCGGAGGAACCAAGGTGGAAATCAAACGT.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 92:

(SEQ ID NO: 292) GCCTATGATATGACCCAGTCTCCATCCTCCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGA CAGAGTCACCATCACTTGCCAGGCCAGTGAGAACATTGGTAGCTACTTA GCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGAAAGTCCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTATA GGGCTTCCACTCTGGCATCTGGGGTCCCATCTCGTTTCAGTGGCAGTGG ATCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGAAGAT GTTGCAACTTATTACTGTCAACAGGGTTACAATAGTGAGAATCTTGATA ATGCTTTCGGCGGAGGAACCAAGGTGGAAATCAAACGTACGGTAGCGGC CCCATCTGTCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATCTGGA ACTGCCTCTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAGGCCA AAGTACAGTGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTCCCAGGA GAGTGTCACAGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTCAGCAGC ACCCTGACGCTGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCTACGCCT GCGAAGTCACCCATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAGCTTCAA CAGGGGAGAGTGTTAG.

In another embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 93:

(SEQ ID NO: 293) CAGGTACAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGTGGAGGCGTGGTCCAGCCTGGGAGGT CCCTGAGACTCTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGATTCACCTTCAGTATGTATTC AATGGGCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAATACATCGGA TGGATTAGTTATGGTGGTACTGCATACTACGCTAGCAGCGCTAAGGGCC GATTCACCATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACGCTGTACCTGCAAAT GTCTAGCCTGAGAGCCGAGGACACGGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCTAGAGAG ACTCCTGTTAATTACTACTTGGACATTTGGGGCCAAGGTACCCTCGTCA CCGTCTCGAGC.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 94:

(SEQ ID NO: 294) CAGGTACAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGTGGAGGCGTGGTCCAGCCTGGGAGGT CCCTGAGACTCTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGATTCACCTTCAGTATGTATTC AATGGGCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAATACATCGGA TGGATTAGTTATGGTGGTACTGCATACTACGCTAGCAGCGCTAAGGGCC GATTCACCATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACGCTGTACCTGCAAAT GTCTAGCCTGAGAGCCGAGGACACGGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCTAGAGAG ACTCCTGTTAATTACTACTTGGACATTTGGGGCCAAGGTACCCTCGTCA CCGTCTCGAGCGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCCATCGGTCTTCCCCCTGGCACC CTCCTCCAAGAGCACCTCTGGGGGCACAGCGGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTC AAGGACTACTTCCCCGAACCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCC TGACCAGCGGCGTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACT CTACTCCCTCAGCAGCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACC CAGACCTACATCTGCAACGTGAATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGG ACAAGAGAGTTGAGCCCAAATCTTGTGACAAAACTCACACATGCCCACC GTGCCCAGCACCTGAACTCCTGGGGGGACCGTCAGTCTTCCTCTTCCCC CCAAAACCCAAGGACACCCTCATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACAT GCGTGGTGGTGGACGTGAGCCACGAAGACCCTGAGGTCAAGTTCAACTG GTACGTGGACGGCGTGGAGGTGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAG GAGCAGTACGCCAGCACGTACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGC ACCAGGACTGGCTGAATGGCAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTCCAACAA AGCCCTCCCAGCCCCCATCGAGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAG CCCCGAGAACCACAGGTGTACACCCTGCCCCCATCCCGGGAGGAGATGA CCAAGAACCAGGTCAGCCTGACCTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTATCCCAG CGACATCGCCGTGGAGTGGGAGAGCAATGGGCAGCCGGAGAACAACTAC AAGACCACGCCTCCCGTGCTGGACTCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTACA GCAAGCTCACCGTGGACAAGAGCAGGTGGCAGCAGGGGAACGTCTTCTC ATGCTCCGTGATGCATGAGGCTCTGCACAACCACTACACGCAGAAGAGC CTCTCCCTGTCTCCGGGTAAATGA.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 295; SEQ ID NO: 296; and SEQ ID NO: 297 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 91 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 92.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 298; SEQ ID NO: 299; and SEQ ID NO: 300 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 93 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 94.

The invention also contemplates polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 291 encoding the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 91; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 292 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 92; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 293 encoding the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 93; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 294 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 94; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 295; SEQ ID NO: 296; and SEQ ID NO: 297) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 91 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 92; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 298; SEQ ID NO: 299; and SEQ ID NO: 300) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 93 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 94.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, polynucleotides encoding Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF. With respect to antibody Ab10, the polynucleotides encoding the full length Ab10 antibody comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 292 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 92 and the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 294 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 94.

Another embodiment of the invention contemplates these polynucleotides incorporated into an expression vector for expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO, HEK-293, or in fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells such as the yeast Pichia. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris. In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab10 following expression of the full-length polynucleotides in a suitable host. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab10 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression of Ab10 polynucleotides in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab11

The invention is further directed to polynucleotides encoding antibody polypeptides having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 101:

(SEQ ID NO: 301) GCATTCGAATTGACCCAGACTCCATCCTCCGTGGAGGCAGCTGTGGGAG GCACAGTCACCATCAAGTGCCAGGCCAGTCAGAACATTGTTACCAATTT AGCCTGGTATCAACAGAAACCAGGGCAGCCTCCCAAGCTCCTGATCTAT GGTGCATCCACTCTGGCATCTGGGGTCTCATCGCGGTTCAAAGGCAGTG GATCTGGGACACAGTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCGACCTGGAGTGTGCCGA TGCTGCCACTTATTTCTGTCAGAGCTATGATGGTTTTAATAGTGCTGGG TTCGGCGGAGGGACCGAGGTGGTGGTCAAACGT.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 102:

(SEQ ID NO: 302) GCATTCGAATTGACCCAGACTCCATCCTCCGTGGAGGCAGCTGTGGG AGGCACAGTCACCATCAAGTGCCAGGCCAGTCAGAACATTGTTACCAAT TTAGCCTGGTATCAACAGAAACCAGGGCAGCCTCCCAAGCTCCTGATCT ATGGTGCATCCACTCTGGCATCTGGGGTCTCATCGCGGTTCAAAGGCAG TGGATCTGGGACACAGTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCGACCTGGAGTGTGCC GATGCTGCCACTTATTTCTGTCAGAGCTATGATGGTTTTAATAGTGCTG GGTTCGGCGGAGGGACCGAGGTGGTGGTCAAACGTACGGTAGCGGCCCC ATCTGTCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATCTGGAACT GCCTCTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAGGCCAAAG TACAGTGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTCCCAGGAGAG TGTCACAGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTCAGCAGCACC CTGACGCTGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCTACGCCTGCG AAGTCACCCATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAGCTTCAACAG GGGAGAGTGTTAG.

In another embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 103:

(SEQ ID NO: 303) CAGTCGCTGGAGGAGTCCGGGGGTCGCCTGGTCACGCCTGGGACACC CCTGACACTCACCTGCACAGCCTCTGGATTCTCCCTCAGTGGCTACGAC ATGAGCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGAAAGGGGCTGGAATACATCGGAC TCATTAGTTATGATGGTAACACATACTACGCGACCTGGGCGAAAGGCCG ATTCACCATCTCCAAAACCTCGACCACGGTGGATCTGAAAATCACCAGTC CGACAACCGAGGACACGGCCACCTATTTCTGTGCCAGAAGTCTTTATGC TGGTCCTAATGCTGGTATCGGACCGTTTAACATCTGGGGCCAGGGGACC CTCGTCACCGTCTCGAGC.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 104:

(SEQ ID NO: 304) CAGTCGCTGGAGGAGTCCGGGGGTCGCCTGGTCACGCCTGGGACACCCC TGACACTCACCTGCACAGCCTCTGGATTCTCCCTCAGTGGCTACGACAT GAGCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGAAAGGGGCTGGAATACATCGGACTC ATTAGTTATGATGGTAACACATACTACGCGACCTGGGCGAAAGGCCGAT TCACCATCTCCAAAACCTCGACCACGGTGGATCTGAAAATCACCAGTCC GACAACCGAGGACACGGCCACCTATTTCTGTGCCAGAAGTCTTTATGCT GGTCCTAATGCTGGTATCGGACCGTTTAACATCTGGGGCCAGGGGACCC TCGTCACCGTCTCGAGCGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCCATCGGTCTTCCCCCT GGCACCCTCCTCCAAGAGCACCTCTGGGGGCACAGCGGCCCTGGGCTGC CTGGTCAAGGACTACTTCCCCGAACCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAG GCGCCCTGACCAGCGGCGTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTC AGGACTCTACTCCCTCAGCAGCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTG GGCACCCAGACCTACATCTGCAACGTGAATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCA AGGTGGACAAGAGAGTTGAGCCCAAATCTTGTGACAAAACTCACACATG CCCACCGTGCCCAGCACCTGAACTCCTGGGGGGACCGTCAGTCTTCCTC TTCCCCCCAAAACCCAAGGACACCCTCATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGG TCACATGCGTGGTGGTGGACGTGAGCCACGAAGACCCTGAGGTCAAGTT CAACTGGTACGTGGACGGCGTGGAGGTGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCG CGGGAGGAGCAGTACGCCAGCACGTACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCG TCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGAATGGCAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTC CAACAAAGCCCTCCCAGCCCCCATCGAGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAA GGGCAGCCCCGAGAACCACAGGTGTACACCCTGCCCCCATCCCGGGAGG AGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTCAGCCTGACCTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTA TCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGGAGTGGGAGAGCAATGGGCAGCCGGAGAAC AACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCCGTGCTGGACTCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCC TCTACAGCAAGCTCACCGTGGACAAGAGCAGGTGGCAGCAGGGGAACGT CTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATGCATGAGGCTCTGCACAACCACTACACGCAG AAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCTCCGGGTAAATGA.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 305; SEQ ID NO: 306; and SEQ ID NO: 307 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 101 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 102.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 308; SEQ ID NO: 309; and SEQ ID NO: 310 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 103 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 104.

The invention also contemplates polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 301 encoding the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 101; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 302 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 102; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 303 encoding the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 103; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 304 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 104; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 305; SEQ ID NO: 306; and SEQ ID NO: 307) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 101 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 102; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 308; SEQ ID NO: 309; and SEQ ID NO: 310) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 103 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 104.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, polynucleotides encoding Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF. With respect to antibody Ab11, the polynucleotides encoding the full length Ab111 antibody comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 302 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 102 and the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 304 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 104.

Another embodiment of the invention contemplates these polynucleotides incorporated into an expression vector for expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO, HEK-293, or in fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells such as the yeast Pichia. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris. In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab11 following expression of the full-length polynucleotides in a suitable host. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab11 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression of Ab11 polynucleotides in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab12

The invention is further directed to polynucleotides encoding antibody polypeptides having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 111:

(SEQ ID NO: 311) GCATTCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCATCCTCCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGA GACAGAGTCACCATCACTTGCCAGGCCAGTCAGAACATTGTTACCAACT TAGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGAAAGTCCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTA TGGTGCATCCACTCTGGCATCTGGGGTCCCATCTCGTTTCAGTGGCAGT GGATCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGAAG ATGTTGCAACTTATTACTGTCAGAGCTATGATGGTTTCAATAGTGCTGG TTTCGGCGGAGGAACCAAGGTGGAAATCAAACGT.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 112:

(SEQ ID NO: 312) GCATTCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCATCCTCCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGA GACAGAGTCACCATCACTTGCCAGGCCAGTCAGAACATTGTTACCAACT TAGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGAAAGTCCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTA TGGTGCATCCACTCTGGCATCTGGGGTCCCATCTCGTTTCAGTGGCAGT GGATCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGAAG ATGTTGCAACTTATTACTGTCAGAGCTATGATGGTTTCAATAGTGCTGG TTTCGGCGGAGGAACCAAGGTGGAAATCAAACGTACGGTAGCGGCCCCA TCTGTCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATCTGGAACTG CCTCTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAGGCCAAAGT ACAGTGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTCCCAGGAGAGT GTCACAGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTCAGCAGCACCC TGACGCTGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCTACGCCTGCGA AGTCACCCATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAGCTTCAACAGG GGAGAGTGTTAG.

In another embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 113:

(SEQ ID NO: 313) CAGGTACAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGTGGAGGCGTGGTCCAGCCTGGGAG GTCCCTGAGACTCTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGATTCTCCCTCAGTGGCTAC GACATGAGCTGGGTCCGTCAGGCTCCAGGCAAGGGACTGGAGTGGGTGG GACTCATTAGTTATGATGGTAACACATACTACGCGACCTCCGCGAAAGG CCGATTCACCATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACGCTGTACCTGCAA ATGTCTAGCCTGAGAGCCGAGGACACGGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCTAGAA GTCTTTATGCTGGTCCTAATGCTGGTATCGGACCGTTTAACATCTGGGG CCAAGGTACCCTCGTCACCGTCTCGAGC.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 114:

(SEQ ID NO: 314) CAGGTACAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGTGGAGGCGTGGTCCAGCCTGGGAGGT CCCTGAGACTCTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGATTCTCCCTCAGTGGCTACGA CATGAGCTGGGTCCGTCAGGCTCCAGGCAAGGGACTGGAGTGGGTGGGA CTCATTAGTTATGATGGTAACACATACTACGCGACCTCCGCGAAAGGCC GATTCACCATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACGCTGTACCTGCAAAT GTCTAGCCTGAGAGCCGAGGACACGGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCTAGAAGT CTTTATGCTGGTCCTAATGCTGGTATCGGACCGTTTAACATCTGGGGCC AAGGTACCCTCGTCACCGTCTCGAGCGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCCATCGGT CTTCCCCCTGGCACCCTCCTCCAAGAGCACCTCTGGGGGCACAGCGGCC CTGGGCTGCCTGGTCAAGGACTACTTCCCCGAACCGGTGACGGTGTCGT GGAACTCAGGCGCCCTGACCAGCGGCGTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCT ACAGTCCTCAGGACTCTACTCCCTCAGCAGCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCC AGCAGCTTGGGCACCCAGACCTACATCTGCAACGTGAATCACAAGCCCA GCAACACCAAGGTGGACAAGAGAGTTGAGCCCAAATCTTGTGACAAAAC TCACACATGCCCACCGTGCCCAGCACCTGAACTCCTGGGGGGACCGTCA GTCTTCCTCTTCCCCCCAAAACCCAAGGACACCCTCATGATCTCCCGGA CCCCTGAGGTCACATGCGTGGTGGTGGACGTGAGCCACGAAGACCCTGA GGTCAAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGACGGCGTGGAGGTGCATAATGCCAAG ACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTACGCCAGCACGTACCGTGTGGTCAGCG TCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGAATGGCAAGGAGTACAAGTG CAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGCCCTCCCAGCCCCCATCGAGAAAACCATCTCC AAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAACCACAGGTGTACACCCTGCCCCCAT CCCGGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTCAGCCTGACCTGCCTGGTCAA AGGCTTCTATCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGGAGTGGGAGAGCAATGGGCAG CCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCCGTGCTGGACTCCGACGGCT CCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCAAGCTCACCGTGGACAAGAGCAGGTGGCAGCA GGGGAACGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATGCATGAGGCTCTGCACAACCAC TACACGCAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCTCCGGGTAAATGA.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 315; SEQ ID NO: 316; and SEQ ID NO: 317 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 111 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 112.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 318; SEQ ID NO: 319; and SEQ ID NO: 320 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 113 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 114.

The invention also contemplates polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 311 encoding the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 111; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 312 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 112; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 313 encoding the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 113; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 314 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 114; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 315; SEQ ID NO: 316; and SEQ ID NO: 317) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 111 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 112; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 318; SEQ ID NO: 319; and SEQ ID NO: 320) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 113 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 114.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, polynucleotides encoding Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF. With respect to antibody Ab12, the polynucleotides encoding the full length Ab12 antibody comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 312 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 112 and the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 314 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 114.

Another embodiment of the invention contemplates these polynucleotides incorporated into an expression vector for expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO, HEK-293, or in fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells such as the yeast Pichia. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris. In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab12 following expression of the full-length polynucleotides in a suitable host. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab12 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression of Ab12 polynucleotides in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab13

The invention is further directed to polynucleotides encoding antibody polypeptides having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 121:

(SEQ ID NO: 321) GCCGCCGTGCTGACCCAGACTCCATCTCCCGTGTCTGCAGCTGTGGG AGGCACAGTCAGCATCAGTTGCCAGTCCAGTCAGAATGTTTATAAGAAC AACTACTTATCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGCAGCCTCCCAAGCTCC TGATCTACAAGGCATCCACTCTGGCATCTGGGGTCCCATCGCGGTTCAA AGGCGGTGGATCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCGACGTGCAG TGTGACGCTGCTGCCACTTACTACTGTGCAGGCGGTTATACCAGTAGTA GTGATAATGCTTTCGGCGGAGGGACCGAGGTGGTGGTCAAACGT.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122:

(SEQ ID NO: 322) GCCGCCGTGCTGACCCAGACTCCATCTCCCGTGTCTGCAGCTGTGGG AGGCACAGTCAGCATCAGTTGCCAGTCCAGTCAGAATGTTTATAAGAAC AACTACTTATCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGCAGCCTCCCAAGCTCC TGATCTACAAGGCATCCACTCTGGCATCTGGGGTCCCATCGCGGTTCAA AGGCGGTGGATCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCGACGTGCAG TGTGACGCTGCTGCCACTTACTACTGTGCAGGCGGTTATACCAGTAGTA GTGATAATGCTTTCGGCGGAGGGACCGAGGTGGTGGTCAAACGTACGGT AGCGGCCCCATCTGTCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAA TCTGGAACTGCCTCTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAG AGGCCAAAGTACAGTGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTC CCAGGAGAGTGTCACAGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTC AGCAGCACCCTGACGCTGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCT ACGCCTGCGAAGTCACCCATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAG CTTCAACAGGGGAGAGTGTTA.

In another embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 123:

(SEQ ID NO: 323) CAGTCGGTGGAGGCGTCCGGGGGTCGCCTGGTCACGCCTGGGACACC CCTGACACTCACCTGCACAGCCTCTGGATTCTCCCTCAGTACCTACTGG ATGAGCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAATGGATCGGAG ACATTTATTTTAGTAATGAAGAAACAAACTACGCGAGCTGGGCGAAAGG CCGATTTACCATCTCCAAAACCTCGACCACGGTGGATCTGAATGTCATC AGTCCGACAACCGAGGACACGGCCACCTATTTCTGTGCCAGAGGTTCTC CTGATGTTGATATTGGTATAGATATGTGGGGCCCGGGCACCCTCGTCAC CGTCTCGAGC.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 124:

(SEQ ID NO: 324) CAGTCGGTGGAGGCGTCCGGGGGTCGCCTGGTCACGCCTGGGACACCCC TGACACTCACCTGCACAGCCTCTGGATTCTCCCTCAGTACCTACTGGAT GAGCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAATGGATCGGAGAC ATTTATTTTAGTAATGAAGAAACAAACTACGCGAGCTGGGCGAAAGGCC GATTTACCATCTCCAAAACCTCGACCACGGTGGATCTGAATGTCATCAG TCCGACAACCGAGGACACGGCCACCTATTTCTGTGCCAGAGGTTCTCCT GATGTTGATATTGGTATAGATATGTGGGGCCCGGGCACCCTCGTCACCG TCTCGAGCGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCCATCGGTCTTCCCCCTGGCACCCTC CTCCAAGAGCACCTCTGGGGGCACAGCGGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTCAAG GACTACTTCCCCGAACCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCCTGA CCAGCGGCGTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCTA CTCCCTCAGCAGCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACCCAG ACCTACATCTGCAACGTGAATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACA AGAGAGTTGAGCCCAAATCTTGTGACAAAACTCACACATGCCCACCGTG CCCAGCACCTGAACTCCTGGGGGGACCGTCAGTCTTCCTCTTCCCCCCA AAACCCAAGGACACCCTCATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACATGCG TGGTGGTGGACGTGAGCCACGAAGACCCTGAGGTCAAGTTCAACTGGTA CGTGGACGGCGTGGAGGTGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAG CAGTACGCCAGCACGTACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACC AGGACTGGCTGAATGGCAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGC CCTCCCAGCCCCCATCGAGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCC CGAGAACCACAGGTGTACACCCTGCCCCCATCCCGGGAGGAGATGACCA AGAACCAGGTCAGCCTGACCTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTATCCCAGCGA CATCGCCGTGGAGTGGGAGAGCAATGGGCAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAG ACCACGCCTCCCGTGCTGGACTCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCA AGCTCACCGTGGACAAGAGCAGGTGGCAGCAGGGGAACGTCTTCTCATG CTCCGTGATGCATGAGGCTCTGCACAACCACTACACGCAGAAGAGCCTC TCCCTGTCTCCGGGTAAATGA.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 325; SEQ ID NO: 326; and SEQ ID NO: 327 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 121 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 328; SEQ ID NO: 329; and SEQ ID NO: 330 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 123 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 124.

The invention also contemplates polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 321 encoding the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 121; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 322 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 323 encoding the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 123; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 324 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 124; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 325; SEQ ID NO: 326; and SEQ ID NO: 327) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 121 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 328; SEQ ID NO: 329; and SEQ ID NO: 330) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 123 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 124.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, polynucleotides encoding Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF. With respect to antibody Ab13, the polynucleotides encoding the full length Ab13 antibody comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 322 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122 and the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 324 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 124.

Another embodiment of the invention contemplates these polynucleotides incorporated into an expression vector for expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO, HEK-293, or in fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells such as the yeast Pichia. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris. In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab13 following expression of the full-length polynucleotides in a suitable host. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab13 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression of Ab13 polynucleotides in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab14

The invention is further directed to polynucleotides encoding antibody polypeptides having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 131:

(SEQ ID NO: 331) GACATCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCATCCTCCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGA GACAGAGTCACCATCACTTGCCAGTCCAGTCAGAATGTTTATAAGAACA ACTACTTATCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGAAAGTCCCTAAGCTCCT GATCTATAAGGCATCCACTCTGGCATCTGGGGTCCCATCTCGTTTCAGT GGCAGTGGATCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGC CTGAAGATGTTGCAACTTATTACTGTGCAGGCGGTTATACCAGTAGTAG TGATAATGCTTTCGGCGGAGGAACCAAGGTGGAAATCAAACGT.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 132:

(SEQ ID NO: 332) GACATCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCATCCTCCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGA GACAGAGTCACCATCACTTGCCAGTCCAGTCAGAATGTTTATAAGAACA ACTACTTATCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGAAAGTCCCTAAGCTCCT GATCTATAAGGCATCCACTCTGGCATCTGGGGTCCCATCTCGTTTCAGT GGCAGTGGATCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGC CTGAAGATGTTGCAACTTATTACTGTGCAGGCGGTTATACCAGTAGTAG TGATAATGCTTTCGGCGGAGGAACCAAGGTGGAAATCAAACGTACGGTA GCGGCCCCATCTGTCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAAT CTGGAACTGCCTCTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGA GGCCAAAGTACAGTGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTCC CAGGAGAGTGTCACAGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTCA GCAGCACCCTGACGCTGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCTA CGCCTGCGAAGTCACCCATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAGC TTCAACAGGGGAGAGTGTTAG.

In another embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 133:

(SEQ ID NO: 333) GAGGTGCAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGGGGAGGCTTGGTCCAGCCTGGGGG GTCCCTGAGACTCTCCTGTGCAGCCTCTGGATTCACCGTCAGTACCTAC TGGATGAGCTGGGTCCGTCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAGTGGGTCG GAGACATTTACTTTAGTAATGAAGAAACAAACTACGCGAGCAGCGCGAA AGGCCGATTCACCATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACCCTGTATCTT CAAATGAACAGCCTGAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCTA GAGGTTCTCCTGATGTTGATATTGGTATAGATATGTGGGGCCCAGGGAC CCTCGTCACCGTCTCGAGC.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 134:

(SEQ ID NO: 334) GAGGTGCAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGGGGAGGCTTGGTCCAGCCTGGGGGGT CCCTGAGACTCTCCTGTGCAGCCTCTGGATTCACCGTCAGTACCTACTG GATGAGCTGGGTCCGTCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAGTGGGTCGGA GACATTTACTTTAGTAATGAAGAAACAAACTACGCGAGCAGCGCGAAAG GCCGATTCACCATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACCCTGTATCTTCA AATGAACAGCCTGAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCTAGA GGTTCTCCTGATGTTGATATTGGTATAGATATGTGGGGCCCAGGGACCC TCGTCACCGTCTCGAGCGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCCATCGGTCTTCCCCCT GGCACCCTCCTCCAAGAGCACCTCTGGGGGCACAGCGGCCCTGGGCTGC CTGGTCAAGGACTACTTCCCCGAACCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAG GCGCCCTGACCAGCGGCGTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTC AGGACTCTACTCCCTCAGCAGCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTG GGCACCCAGACCTACATCTGCAACGTGAATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCA AGGTGGACAAGAGAGTTGAGCCCAAATCTTGTGACAAAACTCACACATG CCCACCGTGCCCAGCACCTGAACTCCTGGGGGGACCGTCAGTCTTCCTC TTCCCCCCAAAACCCAAGGACACCCTCATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGG TCACATGCGTGGTGGTGGACGTGAGCCACGAAGACCCTGAGGTCAAGTT CAACTGGTACGTGGACGGCGTGGAGGTGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCG CGGGAGGAGCAGTACGCCAGCACGTACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCG TCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGAATGGCAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTC CAACAAAGCCCTCCCAGCCCCCATCGAGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAA GGGCAGCCCCGAGAACCACAGGTGTACACCCTGCCCCCATCCCGGGAGG AGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTCAGCCTGACCTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTA TCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGGAGTGGGAGAGCAATGGGCAGCCGGAGAAC AACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCCGTGCTGGACTCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCC TCTACAGCAAGCTCACCGTGGACAAGAGCAGGTGGCAGCAGGGGAACGT CTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATGCATGAGGCTCTGCACAACCACTACACGCAG AAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCTCCGGGTAAATGA.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 335; SEQ ID NO: 336; and SEQ ID NO: 337 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 131 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 132.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 338; SEQ ID NO: 339; and SEQ ID NO: 340 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 133 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 134.

The invention also contemplates polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 331 encoding the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 131; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 332 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 132; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 333 encoding the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 133; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 334 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 134; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 335; SEQ ID NO: 336; and SEQ ID NO: 337) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 131 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 132; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 338; SEQ ID NO: 339; and SEQ ID NO: 340) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 133 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 134.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, polynucleotides encoding Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF. With respect to antibody Ab14, the polynucleotides encoding the full length Ab14 antibody comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 332 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 132 and the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 334 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 134.

Another embodiment of the invention contemplates these polynucleotides incorporated into an expression vector for expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO, HEK-293, or in fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells such as the yeast Pichia. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris. In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab14 following expression of the full-length polynucleotides in a suitable host. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab14 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression of Ab14 polynucleotides in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab15

The invention is further directed to polynucleotides encoding antibody polypeptides having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 141:

(SEQ ID NO: 341) GCAGCCGTGCTGACCCAGACACCATCGCCCGTGTCTGCAGCTGTGGGAG ACACAGTCACCATCAAGTGCCAGTCCAGTCAGAGTGTTTATAAGAACAA CTACTTATCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGCAGCCTCCCAAGCTCCTG ATCTATGATGCATCCAATCTGCCATCTGGGGTCCCATCACGGTTCAGCG GCAGTGGATCTGGGACACAGTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCGGCGTGCAGTG TGACGATGCTGCCACTTACTACTGTCTAGGCGATTATGATGATGATACT GATAATGGTTTCGGCGGAGGGACCGAGGTGGTGGTCAAACGT.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 142:

(SEQ ID NO: 342) GCAGCCGTGCTGACCCAGACACCATCGCCCGTGTCTGCAGCTGTGGGAG ACACAGTCACCATCAAGTGCCAGTCCAGTCAGAGTGTTTATAAGAACAA CTACTTATCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGCAGCCTCCCAAGCTCCTG ATCTATGATGCATCCAATCTGCCATCTGGGGTCCCATCACGGTTCAGCG GCAGTGGATCTGGGACACAGTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCGGCGTGCAGTG TGACGATGCTGCCACTTACTACTGTCTAGGCGATTATGATGATGATACT GATAATGGTTTCGGCGGAGGGACCGAGGTGGTGGTCAAACGTACGGTAG CGGCCCCATCTGTCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATC TGGAACTGCCTCTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAG GCCAAAGTACAGTGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTCCC AGGAGAGTGTCACAGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTCAG CAGCACCCTGACGCTGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCTAC GCCTGCGAAGTCACCCATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAGCT TCAACAGGGGAGAGTGTTAG.

In another embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 143:

(SEQ ID NO: 343) CAGTCGGTGGAGGAGTCCGGGGGTCGCCTGGTCACGCCTGGGACACCCC TGACACTCACCTGCACAGTCTCTGGAATCGACCTCAGTAGCTATGCAATG ATCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAATACATCGGAATCA TTTGGAGTGGTGGCACCTACTACGCGACCTGGGCGAAAGGCCGATTCA CCATCTCCAAAACCTCGACCACGGTGGATCTGCAAATCACCAGTCCGAC AACCGAGGACGCGGCCACCTATTTCTGTGCCGCAGGTGGTGGTAGTATT TATGATGTTTGGGGCCCGGGCACCCTGGTCACCGTCTCGAGC.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 144:

(SEQ ID NO: 344) CAGTCGGTGGAGGAGTCCGGGGGTCGCCTGGTCACGCCTGGGACACCCC TGACACTCACCTGCACAGTCTCTGGAATCGACCTCAGTAGCTATGCAAT GATCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAATACATCGGAATC ATTTGGAGTGGTGGCACCTACTACGCGACCTGGGCGAAAGGCCGATTCA CCATCTCCAAAACCTCGACCACGGTGGATCTGCAAATCACCAGTCCGAC AACCGAGGACGCGGCCACCTATTTCTGTGCCGCAGGTGGTGGTAGTATT TATGATGTTTGGGGCCCGGGCACCCTGGTCACCGTCTCGAGCGCCTCCA CCAAGGGCCCATCGGTCTTCCCCCTGGCACCCTCCTCCAAGAGCACCTC TGGGGGCACAGCGGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTCAAGGACTACTTCCCCGAA CCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCCTGACCAGCGGCGTGCACA CCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCTACTCCCTCAGCAGCGT GGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACCCAGACCTACATCTGCAAC GTGAATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACAAGAGAGTTGAGCCCA AATCTTGTGACAAAACTCACACATGCCCACCGTGCCCAGCACCTGAACT CCTGGGGGGACCGTCAGTCTTCCTCTTCCCCCCAAAACCCAAGGACACC CTCATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACATGCGTGGTGGTGGACGTGA GCCACGAAGACCCTGAGGTCAAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGACGGCGTGGA GGTGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTACGCCAGCACG TACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGAATG GCAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGCCCTCCCAGCCCCCAT CGAGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAACCACAGGTG TACACCCTGCCCCCATCCCGGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTCAGCC TGACCTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTATCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGGAGTG GGAGAGCAATGGGCAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCCGTG CTGGACTCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCAAGCTCACCGTGGACA AGAGCAGGTGGCAGCAGGGGAACGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATGCATGA GGCTCTGCACAACCACTACACGCAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCTCCGGGT AAATGA.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 345; SEQ ID NO: 346; and SEQ ID NO: 347 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 141 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 142.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 348; SEQ ID NO: 349; and SEQ ID NO: 350 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 143 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 144.

The invention also contemplates polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 341 encoding the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 141; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 342 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 142; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 343 encoding the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 143; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 344 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 144; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 345; SEQ ID NO: 346; and SEQ ID NO: 347) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 141 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 142; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 348; SEQ ID NO: 349; and SEQ ID NO: 350) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 143 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 144.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, polynucleotides encoding Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF. With respect to antibody Ab15, the polynucleotides encoding the full length Ab15 antibody comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 342 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 142 and the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 344 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 144.

Another embodiment of the invention contemplates these polynucleotides incorporated into an expression vector for expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO, HEK-293, or in fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells such as the yeast Pichia. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris. In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab15 following expression of the full-length polynucleotides in a suitable host. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab15 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression of Ab15 polynucleotides in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab16

The invention is further directed to polynucleotides encoding antibody polypeptides having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 151:

(SEQ ID NO: 351) GCCCTGGTGATGACCCAGACTCCATCCTCCACGTCTGAACCAGTGGGAG GCACAGTCACCATCAATTGCCAGGCTAGTCAGAATATTGGTAACGACCT ATCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGCAGCCTCCCGAGCTCCTAATCTAT TCTACATCCAAACTGGCAACTGGGGTCCCAAAGCGGTTCAGTGGCAGCA GATCTGGGACACAGTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCGACCTGGAGTGTGACGA TGCTGCCACTTACTACTGTCTAGGTGTTTATAGTTATATTAGTGATGAT GGTAATGCTTTCGGCGGAGGGACCGAGGTGGTGGTCAAACGT.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 152:

(SEQ ID NO: 352) GCCCTGGTGATGACCCAGACTCCATCCTCCACGTCTGAACCAGTGGGAG GCACAGTCACCATCAATTGCCAGGCTAGTCAGAATATTGGTAACGACCT ATCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGCAGCCTCCCGAGCTCCTAATCTAT TCTACATCCAAACTGGCAACTGGGGTCCCAAAGCGGTTCAGTGGCAGCA GATCTGGGACACAGTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCGACCTGGAGTGTGACGA TGCTGCCACTTACTACTGTCTAGGTGTTTATAGTTATATTAGTGATGAT GGTAATGCTTTCGGCGGAGGGACCGAGGTGGTGGTCAAACGTACGGTAG CGGCCCCATCTGTCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATC TGGAACTGCCTCTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAG GCCAAAGTACAGTGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTCCC AGGAGAGTGTCACAGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTCAG CAGCACCCTGACGCTGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCTAC GCCTGCGAAGTCACCCATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAGCT TCAACAGGGGAGAGTGTTAG.

In another embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 153:

(SEQ ID NO: 353) CAGTCGGTGGAGGAGTTCGGGGGGTCGCCTGGTCACGCCTGGACACCCC TGACACTCACCTGCACCGTCTCTGGATTCTCCCTCAATAACTATGCAAT GACCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAGTGGATCGGGATC ATTGGTAGTATTGGTACCACATACTACGCGAGCTGGGCGAAAGGCCGAT TCTTCATCTCCAAAACCTCGACCACTGTGGATCTGAAAATCATTAGTCC GACAACCGAGGACACGGCCACCTATTTCTGTGCCAGAGATGCTGGCGTT ACTGTTGATGGTTATGGCTACTACTTTAACATCTGGGGCCCAGGCACCC TCGTCACCGTCTCGAGC.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 154:

(SEQ ID NO: 354) CAGTCGGTGGAGGAGTTCGGGGGTCGCCTGGTCACGCCTGGGACACCCC TGACACTCACCTGCACCGTCTCTGGATTCTCCCTCAATAACTATGCAAT GACCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAGTGGATCGGGATC ATTGGTAGTATTGGTACCACATACTACGCGAGCTGGGCGAAAGGCCGAT TCTTCATCTCCAAAACCTCGACCACTGTGGATCTGAAAATCATTAGTCC GACAACCGAGGACACGGCCACCTATTTCTGTGCCAGAGATGCTGGCGTT ACTGTTGATGGTTATGGCTACTACTTTAACATCTGGGGCCCAGGCACCC TCGTCACCGTCTCGAGCGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCCATCGGTCTTCCCCCT GGCACCCTCCTCCAAGAGCACCTCTGGGGGCACAGCGGCCCTGGGCTGC CTGGTCAAGGACTACTTCCCCGAACCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAG GCGCCCTGACCAGCGGCGTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTC AGGACTCTACTCCCTCAGCAGCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTG GGCACCCAGACCTACATCTGCAACGTGAATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCA AGGTGGACAAGAGAGTTGAGCCCAAATCTTGTGACAAAACTCACACATG CCCACCGTGCCCAGCACCTGAACTCCTGGGGGGACCGTCAGTCTTCCTC TTCCCCCCAAAACCCAAGGACACCCTCATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGG TCACATGCGTGGTGGTGGACGTGAGCCACGAAGACCCTGAGGTCAAGTT CAACTGGTACGTGGACGGCGTGGAGGTGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCG CGGGAGGAGCAGTACGCCAGCACGTACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCG TCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGAATGGCAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTC CAACAAAGCCCTCCCAGCCCCCATCGAGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAA GGGCAGCCCCGAGAACCACAGGTGTACACCCTGCCCCCATCCCGGGAGG AGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTCAGCCTGACCTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTA TCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGGAGTGGGAGAGCAATGGGCAGCCGGAGAAC AACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCCGTGCTGGACTCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCC TCTACAGCAAGCTCACCGTGGACAAGAGCAGGTGGCAGCAGGGGAACGT CTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATGCATGAGGCTCTGCACAACCACTACACGCAG AAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCTCCGGGTAAATGA.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 355; SEQ ID NO: 356; and SEQ ID NO: 357 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 151 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 152.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 358; SEQ ID NO: 359; and SEQ ID NO: 360 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 153 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 154.

The invention also contemplates polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 351 encoding the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 151; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 352 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 152; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 353 encoding the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 153; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 354 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 154; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 355; SEQ ID NO: 356; and SEQ ID NO: 357) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 151 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 152; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 358; SEQ ID NO: 359; and SEQ ID NO: 360) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 153 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 154.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, polynucleotides encoding Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF. With respect to antibody Ab16, the polynucleotides encoding the full length Ab16 antibody comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 352 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 152 and the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 354 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 154.

Another embodiment of the invention contemplates these polynucleotides incorporated into an expression vector for expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO, HEK-293, or in fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells such as the yeast Pichia. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris. In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab16 following expression of the full-length polynucleotides in a suitable host. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab16 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression of Ab16 polynucleotides in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab17

The invention is further directed to polynucleotides encoding antibody polypeptides having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 161:

(SEQ ID NO: 361) GCCATCGAAATGACCCAGACTCCATTCTCCGTGTCTGCAGCTGTGGGAG GCACAGTCACCATCAAGTGCCAGGCCAGTCAGACCATTAGCAACTACTT AGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGCAGCCTCCCAAGCTCCTGATCTAT GGTGCATCCAATCTGGAATCTGGGGTCCCATCGCGGTTCAAAGGCAGTG GATCTGGGACACAGTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCGACCTGGAGTGTGACGA TGCTGCCACTTACTACTGTCAACAGGGTTATACTATCAGTAATGTTGAT AACAATGTTTTCGGCGGAGGGACCGAGGTGGTGGTCAAACGT.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 162:

(SEQ ID NO: 362) GCCATCGAAATGACCCAGACTCCATTCTCCGTGTCTGCAGCTGTGGGAG GCACAGTCACCATCAAGTGCCAGGCCAGTCAGACCATTAGCAACTACTT AGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGCAGCCTCCCAAGCTCCTGATCTAT GGTGCATCCAATCTGGAATCTGGGGTCCCATCGCGGTTCAAAGGCAGTG GATCTGGGACACAGTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCGACCTGGAGTGTGACGA TGCTGCCACTTACTACTGTCAACAGGGTTATACTATCAGTAATGTTGAT AACAATGTTTTCGGCGGAGGGACCGAGGTGGTGGTCAAACGTACGGTAG CGGCCCCATCTGTCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATC TGGAACTGCCTCTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAG GCCAAAGTACAGTGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTCCC AGGAGAGTGTCACAGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTCAG CAGCACCCTGACGCTGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCTAC GCCTGCGAAGTCACCCATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAGCT TCAACAGGGGAGAGTGTTAG.

In another embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 163:

(SEQ ID NO: 363) CAGTCGCTGGAGGAGTCCGGGGGTCGCCTGGTCACGCCTGGGGGATCCC TGACACTCACCTGCGCAGCCTCTGGATTCTCCCTCACTGGCTACAACTT GGTCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAGTGGATCGGATTC ATTAGTTATGGTGATACCACATACTACGCGAGCTGGGCGAAAGGCCGAT TCACCATCTCCAAAACCTCGACCACGGTGACTCTGACGATCACCGATCT GCAACCTTCAGACACGGGCACCTATTTCTGTGCCAGAGAGACTGCTAAT ACTTATGATTATGGCATCTGGGGCCCAGGCACCCTCGTCACCGTCTCGA GC.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 164:

(SEQ ID NO: 364) CAGTCGCTGGAGGAGTCCGGGGGTCGCCTGGTCACGCCTGGGGGATCCC TGACACTCACCTGCGCAGCCTCTGGATTCTCCCTCACTGGCTACAACTT GGTCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAGTGGATCGGATTC ATTAGTTATGGTGATACCACATACTACGCGAGCTGGGCGAAAGGCCGAT TCACCATCTCCAAAACCTCGACCACGGTGACTCTGACGATCACCGATCT GCAACCTTCAGACACGGGCACCTATTTCTGTGCCAGAGAGACTGCTAAT ACTTATGATTATGGCATCTGGGGCCCAGGCACCCTCGTCACCGTCTCGA GCGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCCATCGGTCTTCCCCCTGGCACCCTCCTCCAA GAGCACCTCTGGGGGCACAGCGGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTCAAGGACTAC TTCCCCGAACCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCCTGACCAGCG GCGTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCTACTCCCT CAGCAGCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACCCAGACCTAC ATCTGCAACGTGAATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACAAGAGAG TTGAGCCCAAATCTTGTGACAAAACTCACACATGCCCACCGTGCCCAGC ACCTGAACTCCTGGGGGGACCGTCAGTCTTCCTCTTCCCCCCAAAACCC AAGGACACCCTCATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACATGCGTGGTGG TGGACGTGAGCCACGAAGACCCTGAGGTCAAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGA CGGCGTGGAGGTGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTAC GCCAGCACGTACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACT GGCTGAATGGCAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGCCCTCCC AGCCCCCATCGAGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAA CCACAGGTGTACACCCTGCCCCCATCCCGGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACC AGGTCAGCCTGACCTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTATCCCAGCGACATCGC CGTGGAGTGGGAGAGCAATGGGCAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACG CCTCCCGTGCTGGACTCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCAAGCTCA CCGTGGACAAGAGCAGGTGGCAGCAGGGGAACGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGT GATGCATGAGGCTCTGCACAACCACTACACGCAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTG TCTCCGGGTAAATGA.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 365; SEQ ID NO: 366; and SEQ ID NO: 367 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 161 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 162.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 368; SEQ ID NO: 369; and SEQ ID NO: 370 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 163 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 164.

The invention also contemplates polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 361 encoding the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 161; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 362 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 162; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 363 encoding the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 163; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 364 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 164; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 365; SEQ ID NO: 366; and SEQ ID NO: 367) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 161 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 162; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 368; SEQ ID NO: 369; and SEQ ID NO: 370) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 163 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 164.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, polynucleotides encoding Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF. With respect to antibody Ab17, the polynucleotides encoding the full length Ab17 antibody comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 362 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 162 and the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 364 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 164.

Another embodiment of the invention contemplates these polynucleotides incorporated into an expression vector for expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO, HEK-293, or in fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells such as the yeast Pichia. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris. In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab17 following expression of the full-length polynucleotides in a suitable host. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab17 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression of Ab17 polynucleotides in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab18

The invention is further directed to polynucleotides encoding antibody polypeptides having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 171:

(SEQ ID NO: 371) GACATCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCTTCCACCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAG ACAGAGTCACCATCACTTGTCAGGCTAGTCAGACCATTAGCAACTACTT AGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGAAAAGCCCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTAT GGTGCATCCAATCTGGAATCTGGAGTCCCATCAAGGTTCAGCGGCAGTG GATCTGGAACAGAATTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGATGA TTTTGCAACTTACTACTGTCAACAGGGTTATACTATCAGTAATGTTGAT AACAATGTTTTCGGCGGAGGAACCAAGGTGGAAATCAAACGT.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 172:

(SEQ ID NO: 372) GACATCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCTTCCACCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAG ACAGAGTCACCATCACTTGTCAGGCTAGTCAGACCATTAGCAACTACTT AGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGAAAAGCCCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTAT GGTGCATCCAATCTGGAATCTGGAGTCCCATCAAGGTTCAGCGGCAGTG GATCTGGAACAGAATTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGATGA TTTTGCAACTTACTACTGTCAACAGGGTTATACTATCAGTAATGTTGAT AACAATGTTTTCGGCGGAGGAACCAAGGTGGAAATCAAACGTACGGTAG CGGCCCCATCTGTCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATC TGGAACTGCCTCTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAG GCCAAAGTACAGTGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTCCC AGGAGAGTGTCACAGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTCAG CAGCACCCTGACGCTGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCTAC GCCTGCGAAGTCACCCATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAGCT TCAACAGGGGAGAGTGTTAG.

In another embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 173:

(SEQ ID NO: 373) GAGGTGCAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGGGGAGGCTTGGTCCAGCCTGGGGGGT CCCTGAGACTCTCCTGTGCAGCCTCTGGATTCACCGTCAGTGGCTACAA CTTGGTCTGGGTCCGTCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAGTGGGTCGGA TTCATTAGTTATGGTGATACCACATACTACGCTAGCTCTGCTAAAGGCC GATTCACCATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACCCTGTATCTTCAAAT GAACAGCCTGAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCTAGAGAG ACTGCTAATACTTATGATTATGGCATCTGGGGCCAAGGGACCCTCGTCA CCGTCTCGAGC.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 174:

(SEQ ID NO: 374) GAGGTGCAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGGGGAGGCTTGGTCCAGCCTGGGGGGTC CCTGAGACTCTCCTGTGCAGCCTCTGGATTCACCGTCAGTGGCTACAACT TGGTCTGGGTCCGTCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAGTGGGTCGGATTC ATTAGTTATGGTGATACCACATACTACGCTAGCTCTGCTAAAGGCCGATT CACCATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACCCTGTATCTTCAAATGAACA GCCTGAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCTAGAGAGACTGCT AATACTTATGATTATGGCATCTGGGGCCAAGGGACCCTCGTCACCGTCTC GAGCGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCCATCGGTCTTCCCCCTGGCACCCTCCTCCA AGAGCACCTCTGGGGGCACAGCGGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTCAAGGACTAC TTCCCCGAACCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCCTGACCAGCGG CGTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCTACTCCCTCA GCAGCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACCCAGACCTACATC TGCAACGTGAATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACAAGAGAGTTGA GCCCAAATCTTGTGACAAAACTCACACATGCCCACCGTGCCCAGCACCTG AACTCCTGGGGGGACCGTCAGTCTTCCTCTTCCCCCCAAAACCCAAGGAC ACCCTCATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACATGCGTGGTGGTGGACGT GAGCCACGAAGACCCTGAGGTCAAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGACGGCGTGG AGGTGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTACGCCAGCACG TACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGAATGG CAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGCCCTCCCAGCCCCCATCG AGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAACCACAGGTGTAC ACCCTGCCCCCATCCCGGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTCAGCCTGAC CTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTATCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGGAGTGGGAGA GCAATGGGCAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCCGTGCTGGAC TCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCAAGCTCACCGTGGACAAGAGCAG GTGGCAGCAGGGGAACGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATGCATGAGGCTCTGC ACAACCACTACACGCAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCTCCGGGTAAATGA.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 375; SEQ ID NO: 376; and SEQ ID NO: 377 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 171 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 172.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 378; SEQ ID NO: 379; and SEQ ID NO: 380 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 173 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 174.

The invention also contemplates polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 371 encoding the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 171; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 372 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 172; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 373 encoding the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 173; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 374 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 174; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 375; SEQ ID NO: 376; and SEQ ID NO: 377) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 171 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 172; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 378; SEQ ID NO: 379; and SEQ ID NO: 380) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 173 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 174.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, polynucleotides encoding Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF. With respect to antibody Ab18, the polynucleotides encoding the full length Ab18 antibody comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 372 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 172 and the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 374 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 174.

Another embodiment of the invention contemplates these polynucleotides incorporated into an expression vector for expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO, HEK-293, or in fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells such as the yeast Pichia. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris. In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab18 following expression of the full-length polynucleotides in a suitable host. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab18 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression of Ab18 polynucleotides in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab19

The invention is further directed to polynucleotides encoding antibody polypeptides having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 181:

(SEQ ID NO: 381) GCCGCCGTGCTGACCCAGACTCCATCTCCCGTGTCTGCAGCTGTGGGAGG CACAGTCAGCATCAGTTGCCAGTCCAGTCAGAATGTTTATAAGAACAACT ATTTATCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGCAGCCTCCCAAGCTCCTGATC TACAAGGCTTCCACTCTGGCATCTGGGGTCCCATCGCGGTTCAAAGGCAG TGGATCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCGACGTGCAGTGTGACG CTGCTGCCACTTACTACTGTGCAGGCGGTTATAGTAGTAGTAGTGATAAT GCTTTCGGCGGAGGGACCGAGGTGGTGGTCAAACGT.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 182:

(SEQ ID NO: 382) GCCGCCGTGCTGACCCAGACTCCATCTCCCGTGTCTGCAGCTGTGGGAGG CACAGTCAGCATCAGTTGCCAGTCCAGTCAGAATGTTTATAAGAACAACT ATTTATCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGCAGCCTCCCAAGCTCCTGATC TACAAGGCTTCCACTCTGGCATCTGGGGTCCCATCGCGGTTCAAAGGCAG TGGATCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCGACGTGCAGTGTGACG CTGCTGCCACTTACTACTGTGCAGGCGGTTATAGTAGTAGTAGTGATAAT GCTTTCGGCGGAGGGACCGAGGTGGTGGTCAAACGTACGGTAGCGGCCCC ATCTGTCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATCTGGAACTG CCTCTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAGGCCAAAGTA CAGTGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTCCCAGGAGAGTGT CACAGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTCAGCAGCACCCTGA CGCTGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCTACGCCTGCGAAGTC ACCCATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAGCTTCAACAGGGGAGA GTGTTAG.

In another embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 183:

(SEQ ID NO: 383) CAGTCGGTGGAGGCGTCCGGGGGTCGTCTGGTCATGCCTGGAGGATCCCT GACACTCACCTGCACAGCCTCTGGATTCTCCCTCAGTACCTACTGGATGT CCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAATGGATCGGAGACATT TATTTTAGTAATGAGGAAACAAACTACGCGACCTGGGCGAAAGGCCGATT TACCATCTCCAAAACCTCGACCACGGTGGATCTGAATGTCATCAGTCCGA CAACCGAGGACACGGCCACCTATTTCTGTGCAAGAGGTTCTCCTGATGTT GAGATTGCTATAGATATGTGGGGCCAGGGCACCCTCGTCACCGTCTCGAG C.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 184:

(SEQ ID NO: 384) CAGTCGGTGGAGGCGTCCGGGGGTCGTCTGGTCATGCCTGGAGGATCCCT GACACTCACCTGCACAGCCTCTGGATTCTCCCTCAGTACCTACTGGATGT CCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAATGGATCGGAGACATT TATTTTAGTAATGAGGAAACAAACTACGCGACCTGGGCGAAAGGCCGATT TACCATCTCCAAAACCTCGACCACGGTGGATCTGAATGTCATCAGTCCGA CAACCGAGGACACGGCCACCTATTTCTGTGCAAGAGGTTCTCCTGATGTT GAGATTGCTATAGATATGTGGGGCCAGGGCACCCTCGTCACCGTCTCGAG CGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCCATCGGTCTTCCCCCTGGCACCCTCCTCCAAGA GCACCTCTGGGGGCACAGCGGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTCAAGGACTACTTC CCCGAACCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCCTGACCAGCGGCGT GCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCTACTCCCTCAGCA GCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACCCAGACCTACATCTGC AACGTGAATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACAAGAGAGTTGAGCC CAAATCTTGTGACAAAACTCACACATGCCCACCGTGCCCAGCACCTGAAC TCCTGGGGGGACCGTCAGTCTTCCTCTTCCCCCCAAAACCCAAGGACACC CTCATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACATGCGTGGTGGTGGACGTGAG CCACGAAGACCCTGAGGTCAAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGACGGCGTGGAGG TGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTACGCCAGCACGTAC CGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGAATGGCAA GGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGCCCTCCCAGCCCCCATCGAGA AAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAACCACAGGTGTACACC CTGCCCCCATCCCGGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTCAGCCTGACCTG CCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTATCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGGAGTGGGAGAGCA ATGGGCAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCCGTGCTGGACTCC GACGGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCAAGCTCACCGTGGACAAGAGCAGGTG GCAGCAGGGGAACGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATGCATGAGGCTCTGCACA ACCACTACACGCAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCTCCGGGTAAATGA.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 385; SEQ ID NO: 386; and SEQ ID NO: 387 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 181 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 182.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 388; SEQ ID NO: 389; and SEQ ID NO: 390 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 183 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 184.

The invention also contemplates polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 381 encoding the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 181; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 382 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 182; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 383 encoding the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 183; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 384 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 184; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 385; SEQ ID NO: 386; and SEQ ID NO: 387) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 181 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 182; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 388; SEQ ID NO: 389; and SEQ ID NO: 390) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 183 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 184.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, polynucleotides encoding Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF. With respect to antibody Ab19, the polynucleotides encoding the full length Ab19 antibody comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 382 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 182 and the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 384 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 184.

Another embodiment of the invention contemplates these polynucleotides incorporated into an expression vector for expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO, HEK-293, or in fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells such as the yeast Pichia. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris. In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab19 following expression of the full-length polynucleotides in a suitable host. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab19 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression of Ab19 polynucleotides in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab20

The invention is further directed to polynucleotides encoding antibody polypeptides having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 191:

(SEQ ID NO: 391) GACATCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCATCCTCCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGA CAGAGTCACCATCACTTGCCAGTCCAGTCAGAATGTTTATAAGAACAACT ACTTATCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGAAAGTCCCTAAGCTCCTGATC TATAAGGCATCCACTCTGGCATCTGGGGTCCCATCTCGTTTCAGTGGCAG TGGATCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGAAG ATGTTGCAACTTATTACTGTGCAGGCGGTTATACCAGTAGTAGTGATAAT GCTTTCGGCGGAGGAACCAAGGTGGAAATCAAACGT.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 192:

(SEQ ID NO: 392) GACATCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCATCCTCCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGA CAGAGTCACCATCACTTGCCAGTCCAGTCAGAATGTTTATAAGAACAACT ACTTATCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGAAAGTCCCTAAGCTCCTGATC TATAAGGCATCCACTCTGGCATCTGGGGTCCCATCTCGTTTCAGTGGCAG TGGATCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGAAG ATGTTGCAACTTATTACTGTGCAGGCGGTTATACCAGTAGTAGTGATAAT GCTTTCGGCGGAGGAACCAAGGTGGAAATCAAACGTACGGTAGCGGCCCC ATCTGTCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATCTGGAACTG CCTCTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAGGCCAAAGTA CAGTGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTCCCAGGAGAGTGT CACAGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTCAGCAGCACCCTGA CGCTGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCTACGCCTGCGAAGTC ACCCATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAGCTTCAACAGGGGAGA GTGTTAG.

In another embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 193:

(SEQ ID NO: 393) GAGGTGCAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGGGGAGGCTTGGTCCAGCCTGGGGGGTC CCTGAGACTCTCCTGTGCAGCCTCTGGATTCACCGTCAGTACCTACTGGA TGAGCTGGGTCCGTCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAGTGGGTCGGAGAC ATTTACTTTAGTAATGAAGAAACAAACTACGCGACCAGCGCGAAAGGCCG ATTCACCATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACCCTGTATCTTCAAATGA ACAGCCTGAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCTAGAGGTTCT CCTGATGTTGAGATTGCTATAGATATGTGGGGCCAAGGGACCCTCGTCAC CGTCTCGAGC.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 194:

(SEQ ID NO: 394) GAGGTGCAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGGGGAGGCTTGGTCCAGCCTGGGGGGTC CCTGAGACTCTCCTGTGCAGCCTCTGGATTCACCGTCAGTACCTACTGGA TGAGCTGGGTCCGTCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAGTGGGTCGGAGAC ATTTACTTTAGTAATGAAGAAACAAACTACGCGACCAGCGCGAAAGGCCG ATTCACCATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACCCTGTATCTTCAAATGA ACAGCCTGAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCTAGAGGTTCT CCTGATGTTGAGATTGCTATAGATATGTGGGGCCAAGGGACCCTCGTCAC CGTCTCGAGCGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCCATCGGTCTTCCCCCTGGCACCCT CCTCCAAGAGCACCTCTGGGGGCACAGCGGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTCAAG GACTACTTCCCCGAACCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCCTGAC CAGCGGCGTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCTACT CCCTCAGCAGCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACCCAGACC TACATCTGCAACGTGAATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACAAGAG AGTTGAGCCCAAATCTTGTGACAAAACTCACACATGCCCACCGTGCCCAG CACCTGAACTCCTGGGGGGACCGTCAGTCTTCCTCTTCCCCCCAAAACCC AAGGACACCCTCATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACATGCGTGGTGGT GGACGTGAGCCACGAAGACCCTGAGGTCAAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGACG GCGTGGAGGTGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTACGCC AGCACGTACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCT GAATGGCAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGCCCTCCCAGCCC CCATCGAGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAACCACAG GTGTACACCCTGCCCCCATCCCGGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTCAG CCTGACCTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTATCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGGAGT GGGAGAGCAATGGGCAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCCGTG CTGGACTCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCAAGCTCACCGTGGACAA GAGCAGGTGGCAGCAGGGGAACGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATGCATGAGG CTCTGCACAACCACTACACGCAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCTCCGGGTAAA TGA.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 395; SEQ ID NO: 396; and SEQ ID NO: 397 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 191 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 192.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 398; SEQ ID NO: 399; and SEQ ID NO: 400 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 193 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 194.

The invention also contemplates polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 391 encoding the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 191; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 392 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 192; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 393 encoding the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 193; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 394 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 194; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 395; SEQ ID NO: 396; and SEQ ID NO: 397) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 191 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 192; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 398; SEQ ID NO: 399; and SEQ ID NO: 400) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 193 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 194.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, polynucleotides encoding Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF. With respect to antibody Ab20, the polynucleotides encoding the full length Ab20 antibody comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 392 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 192 and the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 394 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 194.

Another embodiment of the invention contemplates these polynucleotides incorporated into an expression vector for expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO, HEK-293, or in fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells such as the yeast Pichia. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris. In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab20 following expression of the full-length polynucleotides in a suitable host. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab20 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression of Ab20 polynucleotides in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Ab21

The invention is further directed to polynucleotides encoding antibody polypeptides having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51:

(SEQ ID NO: 251) GACATCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCTTCCACCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGA CAGAGTCACCATCACTTGCCAGGCCAGTCAGAGCATTTACAGCAATCTTG CCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGAAAAGCCCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTATGAT GCATCCACTCTGGAATCTGGAGTCCCATCAAGGTTCAGCGGCAGTGGATC TGGGACAGAGTACACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGATGATTTTG CAACTTACTACTGCCAACAGGGTTTTACTGTTAGTGATATTGATAATGCT TTCGGCGGAGGAACCAAGGTGGAAATCAAACGT.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 401:

(SEQ ID NO: 403) GACATCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCTTCCACCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGA CAGAGTCACCATCACTTGCCAGGCCAGTCAGAGCATTTACAGCAATCTTG CCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGAAAAGCCCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTATGAT GCATCCACTCTGGAATCTGGAGTCCCATCAAGGTTCAGCGGCAGTGGATC TGGGACAGAGTACACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGATGATTTTG CAACTTACTACTGCCAACAGGGTTTTACTGTTAGTGATATTGATAATGCT TTCGGCGGAGGAACCAAGGTGGAAATCAAACGTACGGTAGCGGCCCCATC TGTCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATCTGGAACTGCCT CTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAGGCCAAAGTACAG TGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTCCCAGGAGAGTGTCAC AGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTCAGCAGCACCCTGACGC TGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCTACGCCTGCGAAGTCACC CATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAGCTTCAACAGGGGAGAGTG TTAG.

In another embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53:

(SEQ ID NO: 253) GAGGTGCAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGGGGAGGCTTGGTCCAGCCTGGGGGGTC CCTGAGACTCTCCTGTGCAGCCTCTGGATTCACCGTCAGTAACTATGCAG TGGGCTGGGTCCGTCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAGTGGGTCGGAATC ATTGGTCGTAATGGTAACACATGGTACGCGAGCTCTGCAAGAGGCCGATT CACCATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACCCTGTATCTTCAAATGAACA GCCTGAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCTAGAGGATATGGC CGTAGTGTTGCTTATTACGTCTTTAACATCTGGGGCCCAGGGACCCTCGT CACCGTCTCGAGC.

In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 402:

(SEQ ID NO: 404) GAGGTGCAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGGGGAGGCTTGGTCCAGCCTGGGGGGTC CCTGAGACTCTCCTGTGCAGCCTCTGGATTCACCGTCAGTAACTATGCAG TGGGCTGGGTCCGTCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAGTGGGTCGGAATC ATTGGTCGTAATGGTAACACATGGTACGCGAGCTCTGCAAGAGGCCGATT CACCATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACCCTGTATCTTCAAATGAACA GCCTGAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCTAGAGGATATGGC CGTAGTGTTGCTTACTACGTCTTTAACATCTGGGGCCCAGGGACCCTCGT CACCGTCTCGAGCGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCCATCGGTCTTCCCCCTGGCAC CCTCCTCCAAGAGCACCTCTGGGGGCACAGCGGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTC AAGGACTACTTCCCCGAACCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCCT GACCAGCGGCGTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCT ACTCCCTCAGCAGCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACCCAG ACCTACATCTGCAACGTGAATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACGC GAGAGTTGAGCCCAAATCTTGTGACAAAACTCACACATGCCCACCGTGCC CAGCACCTGAACTCCTGGGGGGACCGTCAGTCTTCCTCTTCCCCCCAAAA CCCAAGGACACCCTCATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACATGCGTGGT GGTGGACGTGAGCCACGAAGACCCTGAGGTCAAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGG ACGGCGTGGAGGTGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTAC GCCAGCACGTACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTG GCTGAATGGCAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGCCCTCCCAG CCCCCATCGAGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAACCA CAGGTGTACACCCTGCCCCCATCCCGGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGT CAGCCTGACCTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTATCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGG AGTGGGAGAGCAATGGGCAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCC GTGCTGGACTCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCAAGCTCACCGTGGA CAAGAGCAGGTGGCAGCAGGGGAACGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATGCATG AGGCTCTGCACAACCACTACACGCAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCTCCGGGT AAATGA.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 255; SEQ ID NO: 256; and SEQ ID NO: 257 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 401.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 258; SEQ ID NO: 259; and SEQ ID NO: 260 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 402.

The invention also contemplates polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 251 encoding the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 403 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 401; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 253 encoding the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 404 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 402; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 255; SEQ ID NO: 256; and SEQ ID NO: 257) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 401; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 258; SEQ ID NO: 259; and SEQ ID NO: 260) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 402.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, polynucleotides encoding Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF. With respect to antibody Ab21, the polynucleotides encoding the full length Ab21 antibody comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 403 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 401 and the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 404 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 402.

Another embodiment of the invention contemplates these polynucleotides incorporated into an expression vector for expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO, HEK-293, or in fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells such as the yeast Pichia. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris. In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments may be produced by enzymatic digestion (e.g., papain) of Ab21 following expression of the full-length polynucleotides in a suitable host. In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies such as Ab21 or Fab fragments thereof may be produced via expression of Ab21 polynucleotides in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

Antibody Fragment Fab2

The invention is further directed to polynucleotides encoding antibody fragment polypeptides having binding specificity to NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, Fab polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 407:

(SEQ ID NO: 409) GACATCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCTTCCACCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGA CAGAGTCACCATCACTTGCCAGGCCAGTCAGAGCATTTACAGCAATCTTG CCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGAAAAGCCCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTATGAT GCATCCACTCTGGAATCTGGAGTCCCATCAAGGTTCAGCGGCAGTGGATC TGGGACAGAGTACACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGATGATTTTG CAACTTACTACTGCCAACAGGGTTTTACTGTTAGTGATATTGATAATGCT TTCGGCGGAGGAACCAAGGTGGAAATCAAACGTACGGTAGCGGCCCCATC TGTCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATCTGGAACTGCCT CTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAGGCCAAAGTACAG TGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTCCCAGGAGAGTGTCAC AGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTCAGCAGCACCCTGACGC TGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCTACGCCTGCGAAGTCACC CATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAGCTTCAACAGGGGAGAGTG TTAG.

In another embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 408:

(SEQ ID NO: 410) GAGGTGCAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGGGGAGGCTTGGTCCAGCCTGGGGGGTC CCTGAGACTCTCCTGTGCAGCCTCTGGATTCACCGTCAGTAACTATGCAG TGGGCTGGGTCCGTCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAGTGGGTCGGAATC ATTGGTCGTAATGGTAACACATGGTACGCGAGCTCTGCAAGAGGCCGATT CACCATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACCCTGTATCTTCAAATGAACA GCCTGAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCTAGAGGATATGGC CGTAGTGTTGCTTACTACGTCTTTAACATCTGGGGCCCAGGGACCCTCGT CACCGTCTCGAGCGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCCATCGGTCTTCCCCCTGGCAC CCTCCTCCAAGAGCACCTCTGGGGGCACAGCGGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTC AAGGACTACTTCCCCGAACCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCCT GACCAGCGGCGTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCT ACTCCCTCAGCAGCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACCCAG ACCTACATCTGCAACGTGAATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACGC GAGAGTTGAGCCCAAATCTTGTGACAAAACTCACTAG.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding Fab antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 255; SEQ ID NO: 256; and SEQ ID NO: 257 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 409.

In a further embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding Fab antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 258; SEQ ID NO: 259; and SEQ ID NO: 260 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 410.

The invention also contemplates polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments having binding specificity to NGF comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 251 encoding the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 409 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 407; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 253 encoding the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 410 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 408; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 255; SEQ ID NO: 256; and SEQ ID NO: 257) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51 or the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 407; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 258; SEQ ID NO: 259; and SEQ ID NO: 260) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53 or the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 408.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, polynucleotides encoding Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments having binding specificity for NGF. With respect to antibody fragment Fab2, the polynucleotides encoding the Fab fragment include the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 409 encoding the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 407 and the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 410 encoding the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 408.

Another embodiment of the invention contemplates these polynucleotides incorporated into an expression vector for expression in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO, HEK-293, or in fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells such as the yeast Pichia. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris. In one embodiment of the invention described herein (infra), Fab fragments may be produced via expression of Fab2 polynucleotides in mammalian cells such as CHO, NSO or HEK 293 cells, fungal, insect, or microbial systems such as yeast cells (for example diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia) and other yeast strains. Suitable Pichia species include, but are not limited to, Pichia pastoris.

In one embodiment, the invention is directed to an isolated polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide encoding an anti-NGF V_(H) antibody amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 3, 13, 23, 33, 43, 53, 63, 73, 83, 93, 103, 113, 123, 133, 143, 153, 163, 173, 183, 193, or 402, or encoding a variant thereof wherein at least one framework residue (FR residue) has been substituted with an amino acid present at the corresponding position in a rabbit anti-NGF antibody V_(H) polypeptide or a conservative amino acid substitution.

In another embodiment, the invention is directed to an isolated polynucleotide comprising the polynucleotide sequence encoding an anti-NGF V_(L) antibody amino acid sequence of 1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81, 91, 101, 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 161, 171, 181, 191, or 401, or encoding a variant thereof wherein at least one framework residue (FR residue) has been substituted with an amino acid present at the corresponding position in a rabbit anti-NGF antibody V_(L) polypeptide or a conservative amino acid substitution.

In yet another embodiment, the invention is directed to one or more heterologous polynucleotides comprising a sequence encoding the polypeptides contained in SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:11 and SEQ ID NO:13; SEQ ID NO:21 and SEQ ID NO:23; SEQ ID NO:31 and SEQ ID NO:33; SEQ ID NO:41 and SEQ ID NO:43; SEQ ID NO:51 and SEQ ID NO:53, SEQ ID NO:61 and SEQ ID NO:63; SEQ ID NO:71 and SEQ ID NO:73; SEQ ID NO:81 and SEQ ID NO:83; SEQ ID NO:91 and SEQ ID NO:93; SEQ ID NO:101 and SEQ ID NO:103; SEQ ID NO:111 and SEQ ID NO:113; SEQ ID NO:121 and SEQ ID NO:123; SEQ ID NO:131 and SEQ ID NO:133; SEQ ID NO:141 and SEQ ID NO:143; SEQ ID NO:151 and SEQ ID NO:153; SEQ ID NO:161 and SEQ ID NO:163; SEQ ID NO:171 and SEQ ID NO:173; SEQ ID NO:181 and SEQ ID NO:183; SEQ ID NO:191 and SEQ ID NO:193; or SEQ ID NO:401 and SEQ ID NO:403.

In another embodiment, the invention is directed to an isolated polynucleotide that expresses a polypeptide containing at least one CDR polypeptide derived from an anti-NGF antibody wherein said expressed polypeptide alone specifically binds NGF or specifically binds NGF when expressed in association with another polynucleotide sequence that expresses a polypeptide containing at least one CDR polypeptide derived from an anti-NGF antibody wherein said at least one CDR is selected from those contained in the V_(L) or V_(H) polypeptides of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 11, 13, 21, 23, 31, 33, 41, 43, 51, 53, 61, 63, 71, 73, 81, 83, 91, 93, 101, 103, 111, 113, 121, 123, 131, 133, 141, 143, 151, 153, 161, 163, 171, 173, 181, 183, 191, 193, 401 or SEQ ID NO:403.

Host cells and vectors comprising said polynucleotides are also contemplated.

The invention further contemplates vectors comprising the polynucleotide sequences encoding the variable heavy and light chain polypeptide sequences, as well as the individual complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions), as set forth herein, as well as host cells comprising said vector sequences. In one embodiment of the invention, the host cell is a yeast cell. In another embodiment of the invention, the yeast host cell belongs to the genus Pichia.

Anti-NGF Activity

The anti-NGF activity of the anti-NGF antibodies of the present invention, and fragments thereof having binding specificity to NGF, may also be described by their strength of binding or their affinity for NGF. In one embodiment of the invention, the anti-NGF antibodies of the present invention, and fragments thereof having binding specificity to NGF, bind to NGF with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of less than or equal to 5×10⁻⁷ M, 10⁻⁷ M, 5×10⁻⁸ M, 10⁻⁸ M, 5×10⁻⁹ M, 10⁻⁹ M, 5×10⁻¹⁰ M, 10⁻¹⁰ M, 5×10⁻¹¹ M, 10⁻¹¹ M, 5×10⁻¹² M, 10⁻¹² M, 5×10⁻¹³ M, or 10⁻¹³ M. Preferably, the anti-NGF antibodies and fragments thereof bind NGF with a dissociation constant of less than or equal to 5×10⁻¹⁰ M. In another embodiment of the invention, the anti-NGF antibodies of the present invention, and fragments thereof having binding specificity to NGF, bind to a linear or conformational NGF epitope.

In another embodiment of the invention, the anti-NGF activity of the anti-NGF antibodies of the present invention, and fragments thereof having binding specificity to NGF, bind to NGF with an off-rate of less than or equal to 10⁻⁴ S⁻¹, 5×10⁻⁵ S⁻¹, 10⁻⁵ S⁻¹, 5×10⁻⁶ S⁻¹, 10⁻⁶ S⁻¹, 5×10⁻⁷ S⁻¹, or 10⁻⁷ S⁻¹.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the anti-NGF activity of the anti-NGF antibodies of the present invention, and fragments thereof having binding specificity to NGF, exhibit anti-NGF activity by preventing, ameliorating or reducing the symptoms of, or alternatively treating, diseases and disorders associated with NGF. Non-limiting examples of diseases and disorders associated with NGF are set forth infra.

B-Cell Screening and Isolation

In one embodiment, the present invention contemplates the preparation and isolation of a clonal population of antigen-specific B cells that may be used for isolating at least one NGF antigen-specific cell, which can be used to produce a monoclonal antibody against NGF, which is specific to a desired NGF antigen, or a nucleic acid sequence corresponding to such an antibody. Methods of preparing and isolating said clonal population of antigen-specific B cells are taught, for example, in U.S. patent publication no. US 2007/0269868 to Carvalho-Jensen et al., the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Methods of preparing and isolating said clonal population of antigen-specific B cells are also taught herein in the examples. Methods of “enriching” a cell population by size or density are known in the art. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,627,052. These steps can be used in addition to enriching the cell population by antigen-specificity.

Methods of Humanizing Antibodies

In another embodiment, the present invention contemplates methods for humanizing antibody heavy and light chains. Methods for humanizing antibody heavy and light chains which may be applied to anti-NGF antibodies are taught, for example, in U.S. patent application publication no. US 2009/0022659 to Olson et al., and in U.S. patent application publication no. US 2009/0028784 to Garcia-Martinez et al., the disclosures of each of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

Methods of Producing Antibodies and Fragments Thereof

In another embodiment, the present invention contemplates methods for producing anti-NGF antibodies and fragments thereof. Methods for producing anti-NGF antibodies and fragments thereof secreted from polyploidal, preferably diploid or tetraploid strains of mating competent yeast are taught, for example, in U.S. patent application publication no. US 2009/0022659 to Olson et al., and in U.S. patent application publication no. US 2009/0028784 to Garcia-Martinez et al., the disclosures of each of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

Other methods of producing antibodies are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, methods of producing chimeric antibodies are now well known in the art (See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567 to Cabilly et al.; Morrison et al., P.N.A.S. USA, 81:8651-55 (1984); Neuberger, M. S. et al., Nature, 314:268-270 (1985); Boulianne, G. L. et al., Nature, 312:643-46 (1984), the disclosures of each of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties).

Likewise, other methods of producing humanized antibodies are now well known in the art (See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,530,101, 5,585,089, 5,693,762, and 6,180,370 to Queen et al; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,225,539 and 6,548,640 to Winter; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,054,297, 6,407,213 and 6,639,055 to Carter et al; U.S. Pat. No. 6,632,927 to Adair; Jones, P. T. et al, Nature, 321:522-525 (1986); Reichmann, L., et al, Nature, 332:323-327 (1988); Verhoeyen, M, et al, Science, 239:1534-36 (1988), the disclosures of each of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties).

Antibody polypeptides of the invention having NGF binding specificity may also be produced by constructing, using conventional techniques well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, an expression vector containing an operon and a DNA sequence encoding an antibody heavy chain in which the DNA sequence encoding the CDRs required for antibody specificity is derived from a non-human cell source, preferably a rabbit B-cell source, while the DNA sequence encoding the remaining parts of the antibody chain is derived from a human cell source.

A second expression vector is produced using the same conventional means well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, said expression vector containing an operon and a DNA sequence encoding an antibody light chain in which the DNA sequence encoding the CDRs required for antibody specificity is derived from a non-human cell source, preferably a rabbit B-cell source, while the DNA sequence encoding the remaining parts of the antibody chain is derived from a human cell source.

The expression vectors are transfected into a host cell by convention techniques well known to those of ordinary skill in the art to produce a transfected host cell, said transfected host cell cultured by conventional techniques well known to those of ordinary skill in the art to produce said antibody polypeptides.

The host cell may be co-transfected with the two expression vectors described above, the first expression vector containing DNA encoding an operon and a light chain-derived polypeptide and the second vector containing DNA encoding an operon and a heavy chain-derived polypeptide. The two vectors contain different selectable markers, but preferably achieve substantially equal expression of the heavy and light chain polypeptides. Alternatively, a single vector may be used, the vector including DNA encoding both the heavy and light chain polypeptides. The coding sequences for the heavy and light chains may comprise cDNA, genomic DNA, or both.

The host cells used to express the antibody polypeptides may be either a bacterial cell such as E. coli, or a eukaryotic cell. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, a mammalian cell of a well-defined type for this purpose, such as a myeloma cell, a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line, a NSO cell line, or a HEK293 cell line may be used.

The general methods by which the vectors may be constructed, transfection methods required to produce the host cell and culturing methods required to produce the antibody polypeptides from said host cells all include conventional techniques. Although preferably the cell line used to produce the antibody is a mammalian cell line, any other suitable cell line, such as a bacterial cell line such as an E. coli-derived bacterial strain, or a yeast cell line, may alternatively be used.

Similarly, once produced the antibody polypeptides may be purified according to standard procedures in the art, such as for example cross-flow filtration, ammonium sulphate precipitation, affinity column chromatography and the like.

The antibody polypeptides described herein may also be used for the design and synthesis of either peptide or non-peptide mimetics that would be useful for the same therapeutic applications as the antibody polypeptides of the invention. See, for example, Saragobi et al, Science, 253:792-795 (1991), the contents of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Epitope Mapping and Related Technologies

To screen for antibodies that bind to a particular epitope (e.g., those which block binding of IgE to its high affinity receptor), a routine cross-blocking assay such as that described in Harlow and Lane (1990) supra can be performed. Other methods include alanine scanning mutants, peptide blots (Reineke (2004) Methods Mol Biol 248:443-63) (herein specifically incorporated by reference in its entirety), or peptide cleavage analysis. In addition, methods such as epitope excision, epitope extraction and chemical modification of antigens can be employed (Tomer (2000) Protein Science 9: 487-496) (herein specifically incorporated by reference in its entirety).

As defined supra, the term “epitope” refers to a site on an antigen to which B and/or T cells respond. B-cell epitopes can be formed both from contiguous amino acids or noncontiguous amino acids juxtaposed by tertiary folding of a protein. Epitopes formed from contiguous amino acids are typically retained on exposure to denaturing solvents, whereas epitopes formed by tertiary folding are typically lost on treatment with denaturing solvents. An epitope typically includes at least 3, and more usually, at least 5 or 8-10 amino acids in a unique spatial conformation.

Modification-Assisted Profiling (MAP), also known as Antigen Structure-based Antibody Profiling (ASAP) is a method that categorizes large numbers of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against the same antigen according to the similarities of the binding profile of each antibody to chemically or enzymatically modified antigen surfaces (US 2004/0101920, herein specifically incorporated by reference in its entirety). Each category may reflect a unique epitope either distinctly different from or partially overlapping with epitope represented by another category. This technology allows rapid filtering of genetically identical antibodies, such that characterization can be focused on genetically distinct antibodies. When applied to hybridoma screening, MAP may facilitate identification of rare hybridoma clones that produce mAbs having the desired characteristics. MAP may be used to sort the anti-NGF antibodies of the invention into groups of antibodies binding different epitopes.

Immunoconjugates

The invention encompasses a human anti-NGF monoclonal antibody conjugated to a therapeutic moiety (“immunoconjugate”), such as a cytotoxin, a chemotherapeutic drug, an immunosuppressant or a radioisotope. Cytotoxin agents include any agent that is detrimental to cells. Examples of suitable cytotoxin agents and chemotherapeutic agents for forming immunoconjugates are described herein and are known in the art, see for example, WO 05/103081, herein specifically incorporated by reference in its entirety).

Bispecifics

The antibodies of the present invention may be monospecific, bispecific, or multispecific. Multispecific antibodies may be specific for different epitopes of one target polypeptide or may contain antigen-binding domains specific for more than one target polypeptide. See, e.g., Tutt et al. (1991) J. Immunol. 147:60-69. The human anti-NGF antibodies can be linked to or co-expressed with another functional molecule, e.g., another peptide or protein. For example, an antibody or fragment thereof can be functionally linked (e.g., by chemical coupling, genetic fusion, noncovalent association or otherwise) to one or more other molecular entities, such as another antibody or antibody fragment, to produce a bispecific or a multispecific antibody with a second binding specificity.

Screening Assays

The invention also includes screening assays designed to assist in the identification of diseases and disorders associated with NGF in patients exhibiting symptoms of an NGF associated disease or disorder.

In one embodiment of the invention, the anti-NGF antibodies of the invention, or NGF binding fragments thereof, are used to detect the presence of NGF in a biological sample obtained from a patient exhibiting symptoms of a disease or disorder associated with NGF. The presence of NGF, or elevated levels thereof when compared to pre-disease levels of NGF in a comparable biological sample, may be beneficial in diagnosing a disease or disorder associated with NGF.

Another embodiment of the invention provides a diagnostic or screening assay to assist in diagnosis of diseases or disorders associated with NGF in patients exhibiting symptoms of an NGF associated disease or disorder identified herein, comprising assaying the level of NGF expression in a biological sample from said patient using a post-translationally modified anti-NGF antibody or binding fragment thereof. The anti-NGF antibody or binding fragment thereof may be post-translationally modified to include a detectable moiety such as set forth previously in the disclosure.

The NGF level in the biological sample is determined using a modified anti-NGF antibody or binding fragment thereof as set forth herein, and comparing the level of NGF in the biological sample against a standard level of NGF (e.g., the level in normal biological samples). The skilled clinician would understand that some variability may exist between normal biological samples, and would take that into consideration when evaluating results. In one embodiment of the invention, the anti-NGF antibodies of the invention may be used to correlate NGF expression levels with a particular stage of cancerous development. One skilled in the art would be able to measure NGF in numerous subjects in order to establish ranges of NGF expression that correspond to clinically defined stages of cancerous development. These ranges will allow the skilled practitioner to measure NGF in a subject diagnosed with a cancer and correlate the levels in each subject with a range that corresponds to a stage of said cancer. One skilled in the art would understand that by measuring NGF in the patient at different intervals, the progression of the cancer can be determined.

The above-recited assay may also be useful in monitoring a disease or disorder, where the level of NGF obtained in a biological sample from a patient believed to have a NGF associated disease or disorder is compared with the level of NGF in prior biological samples from the same patient, in order to ascertain whether the NGF level in said patient has changed with, for example, a treatment regimen.

The invention is also directed to a method of in vivo imaging which detects the presence of cells which express NGF comprising administering a diagnostically effective amount of a diagnostic composition. Said in vivo imaging is useful for the detection or imaging of NGF expressing tumors or metastases, for example, and can be useful as part of a planning regimen for the design of an effective cancer treatment protocol. The treatment protocol may include, for example, one or more of radiation, chemotherapy, cytokine therapy, gene therapy, and antibody therapy, as well as an anti-NGF antibody or fragment thereof.

The present invention further provides for a kit for detecting binding of an anti-NGF antibody of the invention to NGF. In particular, the kit may be used to detect the presence of a NGF specifically reactive with an anti-NGF antibody of the invention or an immunoreactive fragment thereof. The kit may also include an antibody bound to a substrate, a secondary antibody reactive with the antigen and a reagent for detecting a reaction of the secondary antibody with the antigen. Such a kit may be an ELISA kit and can comprise the substrate, primary and secondary antibodies when appropriate, and any other necessary reagents such as detectable moieties, enzyme substrates, and color reagents, for example as described herein. The diagnostic kit may also be in the form of an immunoblot kit.

A skilled clinician would understand that a biological sample includes, but is not limited to, sera, plasma, urine, saliva, mucous, pleural fluid, synovial fluid and spinal fluid.

Methods of Ameliorating or Reducing Symptoms of or Treating, or Preventing, Diseases and Disorders Associated with, NGF

In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies described herein, or fragments thereof, are useful for ameliorating or reducing the symptoms of, or treating, or preventing, diseases and disorders associated with NGF. Anti-NGF antibodies described herein, or fragments thereof, as well as combinations, can also be administered in a therapeutically effective amount to patients in need of treatment of diseases and disorders associated with NGF in the form of a pharmaceutical composition as described in greater detail below.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, Fab fragments are utilized for the treatment of pain in a patient, alone or in combination with another active. These Fab fragments desirably will inhibit or block one or more biological activities of NGF, e.g., those involving NGF/p75 and/or NGF/TrkA interaction, preferably without eliciting an inflammatory response.

In one embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies or fragments thereof as described herein, alone or with one or more other agents, are useful for ameliorating or reducing the symptoms of, or treating, or preventing, the following non-limiting listing of diseases and disorders: inflammatory pain, post-operative incision pain, complex regional pain syndrome, cancer pain (particularly primary or metastatic bone cancer pain), fracture pain, osteoporotic fracture pain, pain resulting from burn, osteoporosis, gout joint pain, pain associated with sickle cell crises, and other nociceptic pain, as well as hepatocellular carcinoma, breast cancer, liver cirrhosis.

In another embodiment of the invention, anti-NGF antibodies described herein, or fragments thereof and/or with a second agent, are useful for ameliorating or reducing the symptoms of, or treating, or preventing, the following non-limiting listing of diseases and disorders: neurogenic, neuropathic or nociceptic pain. Neuropathic pain may include, but is not limited to, trigeminal neuralgia, post-herpetic neuralgia, phantom limb pain, fibromyalgia, menstrual pain, ovarialgia, reflex sympathetic dystrophy and neurogenic pain. In other preferred embodiments, osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis pain, lower back pain, diabetic neuropathy, sciatica, migraine, and other neuropathic pain.

In another embodiment the anti-NGF antibodies described herein, or fragments thereof and/or with a second agent, are useful for ameliorating or reducing the symptoms of, or treating, or preventing, a NGF-related disorder which comprises an inflammatory condition, preferably selected from the group consisting of asthma, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus erythematosus and psoriasis.

In another embodiment of the invention, one or more anti-NGF monovalent agents are useful in methods of ameliorating or reducing the symptoms of, or treating, or preventing, pain in an individual without substantially raising inflammation in said individual. Exemplary pain is set forth below.

In another embodiment the anti-NGF antibodies described herein, or fragments thereof and/or with a second agent, are useful for ameliorating or reducing the symptoms of, or treating, or preventing, the following non-limiting listing of diseases and disorders: inflammatory pain, post-operative incision pain, complex regional pain syndrome, cancer pain (particularly primary or metastatic bone cancer pain), fracture pain, osteoporotic fracture pain, pain resulting from burn, osteoporosis, gout joint pain, pain associated with sickle cell crises, and other nociceptic pain, as well as hepatocellular carcinoma, breast cancer, liver cirrhosis.

In another embodiment the anti-NGF antibodies described herein, or fragments thereof and/or with a second agent, are useful for ameliorating or reducing the symptoms of, or treating, or preventing, the following non-limiting listing of diseases and disorders: neurogenic, neuropathic or nociceptic pain. Neuropathic pain may include, but is not limited to, trigeminal neuralgia, post-herpetic neuralgia, phantom limb pain, fibromyalgia, menstrual pain, ovarialgia, reflex sympathetic dystrophy and neurogenic pain. In other preferred embodiments, osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis pain, lower back pain, diabetic neuropathy, sciatica, migraine, and other neuropathic pain.

In another embodiment the anti-NGF antibodies described herein, or fragments thereof and/or with a second agent, In general the anti-NGF monovalent agents and/or with a second agent, are useful for ameliorating or reducing the symptoms of, or treating, or preventing, the following non-limiting listing of NGF-associated diseases and disorders wherein the condition is acute pain, dental pain, pain from trauma, surgical pain, pain resulting from amputation or abscess, causalgia, demyelinating diseases, trigeminal neuralgia, cancer, chronic alcoholism, stroke, thalamic pain syndrome, diabetes, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (“AIDS”), toxins, chemotherapy, general headache, migraine, cluster headache, mixed-vascular or non-vascular syndromes, tension headache, general inflammation, arthritis, rheumatic diseases, lupus, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, inflammatory bowel disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory eye disorders, inflammatory or unstable bladder disorders, psoriasis, skin complaints with inflammatory components, sunburn, carditis, dermatitis, myositis, neuritis, collagen vascular diseases, chronic inflammatory conditions, inflammatory pain and associated hyperalgesia and allodynia, neuropathic pain and associated hyperalgesia or allodynia, diabetic neuropathy pain, causalgia, sympathetically maintained pain, deafferentation syndromes, asthma, epithelial tissue damage or dysfunction, herpes simplex, disturbances of visceral motility at respiratory, genitourinary, gastrointestinal or vascular regions, wounds, burns, allergic skin reactions, pruritis, vitiligo, general gastrointestinal disorders, colitis, gastric ulceration, duodenal ulcers, vasomotor or allergic rhinitis, or bronchial disorders, dysmenorrhea, dyspepsia, gastroesophageal reflux, pancreatitis, or visceralgia

The terms “NGF-mediated disease” and “NGF-mediated condition” treatable or preventable with the anti-NGF monovalent agents of the invention alone and/or with a second agent, broadly encompass any medical condition or disorder associated with increased levels of NGF or increased sensitivity to NGF including, but not limited to, acute pain, dental pain, pain from trauma, surgical pain, pain resulting from amputation or abscess, causalgia, demyelinating diseases, trigeminal neuralgia, cancer, chronic alcoholism, stroke, thalamic pain syndrome, diabetes, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (“AIDS”), toxins and chemotherapy, general headache, migraine, cluster headache, mixed-vascular and non-vascular syndromes, tension headache, general inflammation, arthritis, rheumatic diseases, lupus, osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory eye disorders, inflammatory or unstable bladder disorders, psoriasis, skin complaints with inflammatory components, sunburn, carditis, dermatitis, myositis, neuritis, collagen vascular diseases, chronic inflammatory conditions, inflammatory pain and associated hyperalgesia and allodynia, neuropathic pain and associated hyperalgesia and allodynia, diabetic neuropathy pain, causalgia, sympathetically maintained pain, deafferentation syndromes, asthma, epithelial tissue damage or dysfunction, herpes simplex, disturbances of visceral motility at respiratory, genitourinary, gastrointestinal or vascular regions, wounds, burns, allergic skin reactions, pruritis, vitiligo, general gastrointestinal disorders, colitis, gastric ulceration, duodenal ulcers, vasomotor or allergic rhinitis, or bronchial disorders, dysmenorrhea, dyspepsia, gastroesophageal reflux, pancreatitis, and visceralgia.

Administration

In one embodiment of the invention, the anti-NGF antibodies described herein, or NGF binding fragments thereof, as well as combinations of said antibodies or antibody fragments, are administered to a subject at a concentration of between about 0.1 and 100.0 mg/kg of body weight of recipient subject. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the anti-NGF antibodies described herein, or NGF binding fragments thereof, as well as combinations of said antibodies or antibody fragments, are administered to a subject at a concentration of about 0.4 mg/kg of body weight of recipient subject. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the anti-NGF antibodies described herein, or NGF binding fragments thereof, as well as combinations of said antibodies or antibody fragments, are administered to a recipient subject with a frequency of once every twenty-six weeks or less, such as once every sixteen weeks or less, once every eight weeks or less, once every four weeks or less, once every two weeks or less, once every week or less, or once daily or less.

Fab fragments may be administered every two weeks or less, every week or less, once daily or less, multiple times per day, and/or every few hours. In one embodiment of the invention, a patient receives Fab fragments of 0.01 mg/kg to 40 mg/kg per day given in divided doses of 1 to 6 times a day, or in a sustained release form, effective to obtain desired results.

It is to be understood that the concentration of the antibody or Fab administered to a given patient may be greater or lower than the exemplary administration concentrations set forth above herein.

A person of skill in the art would be able to determine an effective dosage and frequency of administration through routine experimentation, for example guided by the disclosure herein and the teachings in Goodman, L. S., Gilman, A., Brunton, L. L., Lazo, J. S., & Parker, K. L. (2006). Goodman & Gilman's the pharmacological basis of therapeutics. New York: McGraw-Hill; Howland, R. D., Mycek, M. J., Harvey, R. A., Champe, P. C., & Mycek, M. J. (2006). Pharmacology. Lippincott's illustrated reviews. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; and Golan, D. E. (2008). Principles of pharmacology: the pathophysiologic basis of drug therapy. Philadelphia, Pa., [etc.]: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

In another embodiment of the invention, the anti-NGF antibodies described herein, or NGF binding fragments thereof, as well as combinations of said antibodies or antibody fragments, are administered to a subject in a pharmaceutical formulation.

A “pharmaceutical composition” refers to a chemical or biological composition suitable for administration to a mammal. Such compositions may be specifically formulated for administration via one or more of a number of routes, including but not limited to buccal, epicutaneous, epidural, inhalation, intraarterial, intracardial, intracerebroventricular, intradermal, intramuscular, intranasal, intraocular, intraperitoneal, intraspinal, intrathecal, intravenous, oral, parenteral, rectally via an enema or suppository, subcutaneous, subdermal, sublingual, transdermal, and transmucosal. In addition, administration can occur by means of injection, powder, liquid, gel, drops, or other means of administration.

In one embodiment of the invention, the anti-NGF antibodies described herein, or NGF binding fragments thereof, as well as combinations of said antibodies or antibody fragments, may be optionally administered in combination with one or more active agents. Such active agents include analgesic, anti-histamine, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antiviral, and anti-cytokine agents. Active agents include agonists, antagonists, and modulators of TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-18, IFN-α, IFN-γ, BAFF, CXCL13, IP-10, VEGF, EPO, EGF, HRG, Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF), Hepcidin, including antibodies reactive against any of the foregoing, and antibodies reactive against any of their receptors. Active agents also include but are not limited to 2-Arylpropionic acids, Aceclofenac, Acemetacin, Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin), Alclofenac, Alminoprofen, Amoxiprin, Ampyrone, Arylalkanoic acids, Azapropazone, Benorylate/Benorilate, Benoxaprofen, Bromfenac, Carprofen, Celecoxib, Choline magnesium salicylate, Clofezone, COX-2 inhibitors, Dexibuprofen, Dexketoprofen, Diclofenac, Diflunisal, Droxicam, Ethenzamide, Etodolac, Etoricoxib, Faislamine, fenamic acids, Fenbufen, Fenoprofen, Flufenamic acid, Flunoxaprofen, Flurbiprofen, Ibuprofen, Ibuproxam, Indometacin, Indoprofen, Kebuzone, Ketoprofen, Ketorolac, Lornoxicam, Loxoprofen, Lumiracoxib, Magnesium salicylate, Meclofenamic acid, Mefenamic acid, Meloxicam, Metamizole, Methyl salicylate, Mofebutazone, Nabumetone, Naproxen, N-Arylanthranilic acids, Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), Oxametacin, Oxaprozin, Oxicams, Oxyphenbutazone, Parecoxib, Phenazone, Phenylbutazone, Phenylbutazone, Piroxicam, Pirprofen, profens, Proglumetacin, Pyrazolidine derivatives, Rofecoxib, Salicyl salicylate, Salicylamide, Salicylates, Sulfinpyrazone, Sulindac, Suprofen, Tenoxicam, Tiaprofenic acid, Tolfenamic acid, Tolmetin, and Valdecoxib.

An anti-histamine can be any compound that opposes the action of histamine or its release from cells (e.g., mast cells). Anti-histamines include but are not limited to acrivastine, astemizole, azatadine, azelastine, betatastine, brompheniramine, buclizine, cetirizine, cetirizine analogues, chlorpheniramine, clemastine, CS 560, cyproheptadine, desloratadine, dexchlorpheniramine, ebastine, epinastine, fexofenadine, HSR 609, hydroxyzine, levocabastine, loratidine, methscopolamine, mizolastine, norastemizole, phenindamine, promethazine, pyrilamine, terfenadine, and tranilast.

Antibiotics include but are not limited to Amikacin, Aminoglycosides, Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Ansamycins, Arsphenamine, Azithromycin, Azlocillin, Aztreonam, Bacitracin, Carbacephem, Carbapenems, Carbenicillin, Cefaclor, Cefadroxil, Cefalexin, Cefalothin, Cefalotin, Cefamandole, Cefazolin, Cefdinir, Cefditoren, Cefepime, Cefixime, Cefoperazone, Cefotaxime, Cefoxitin, Cefpodoxime, Cefprozil, Ceftazidime, Ceftibuten, Ceftizoxime, Ceftobiprole, Ceftriaxone, Cefuroxime, Cephalosporins, Chloramphenicol, Cilastatin, Ciprofloxacin, Clarithromycin, Clindamycin, Cloxacillin, Colistin, Co-trimoxazole, Dalfopristin, Demeclocycline, Dicloxacillin, Dirithromycin, Doripenem, Doxycycline, Enoxacin, Ertapenem, Erythromycin, Ethambutol, Flucloxacillin, Fosfomycin, Furazolidone, Fusidic acid, Gatifloxacin, Geldanamycin, Gentamicin, Glycopeptides, Herbimycin, Imipenem, Isoniazid, Kanamycin, Levofloxacin, Lincomycin, Linezolid, Lomefloxacin, Loracarbef, Macrolides, Mafenide, Meropenem, Meticillin, Metronidazole, Mezlocillin, Minocycline, Monobactams, Moxifloxacin, Mupirocin, Nafcillin, Neomycin, Netilmicin, Nitrofurantoin, Norfloxacin, Ofloxacin, Oxacillin, Oxytetracycline, Paromomycin, Penicillin, Penicillins, Piperacillin, Platensimycin, Polymyxin B, Polypeptides, Prontosil, Pyrazinamide, Quinolones, Quinupristin, Rifampicin, Rifampin, Roxithromycin, Spectinomycin, Streptomycin, Sulfacetamide, Sulfamethizole, Sulfanilimide, Sulfasalazine, Sulfisoxazole, Sulfonamides, Teicoplanin, Telithromycin, Tetracycline, Tetracyclines, Ticarcillin, Tinidazole, Tobramycin, Trimethoprim, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole, Troleandomycin, Trovafloxacin, and Vancomycin.

Active agents also include Aldosterone, Beclometasone, Betamethasone, Corticosteroids, Cortisol, Cortisone acetate, Deoxycorticosterone acetate, Dexamethasone, Fludrocortisone acetate, Glucocorticoids, Hydrocortisone, Methylprednisolone, Prednisolone, Prednisone, Steroids, and Triamcinolone. Any suitable combination of these active agents is also contemplated.

A “pharmaceutical excipient” or a “pharmaceutically acceptable excipient” is a carrier, usually a liquid, in which an active therapeutic agent is formulated. In one embodiment of the invention, the active therapeutic agent is a humanized antibody described herein, or one or more fragments thereof. The excipient generally does not provide any pharmacological activity to the formulation, though it may provide chemical and/or biological stability, and release characteristics. Exemplary formulations can be found, for example, in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 19^(th) Ed., Grennaro, A., Ed., 1995 which is incorporated by reference.

As used herein “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” or “excipient” includes any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents that are physiologically compatible. In one embodiment, the carrier is suitable for parenteral administration. Alternatively, the carrier can be suitable for intravenous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, or sublingual administration. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersions. The use of such media and agents for pharmaceutically active substances is well known in the art. Except insofar as any conventional media or agent is incompatible with the active compound, use thereof in the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention is contemplated. Supplementary active compounds can also be incorporated into the compositions.

Pharmaceutical compositions typically must be sterile and stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage. The invention contemplates that the pharmaceutical composition is present in lyophilized form. The composition can be formulated as a solution, microemulsion, liposome, or other ordered structure suitable to high drug concentration. The carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquid polyethylene glycol), and suitable mixtures thereof. The invention further contemplates the inclusion of a stabilizer in the pharmaceutical composition. The proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersion and by the use of surfactants.

In many cases, it will be preferable to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars, polyalcohols such as mannitol, sorbitol, or sodium chloride in the composition. Prolonged absorption of the injectable compositions can be brought about by including in the composition an agent which delays absorption, for example, monostearate salts and gelatin. Moreover, the alkaline polypeptide can be formulated in a time release formulation, for example in a composition which includes a slow release polymer. The active compounds can be prepared with carriers that will protect the compound against rapid release, such as a controlled release formulation, including implants and microencapsulated delivery systems. Biodegradable, biocompatible polymers can be used, such as ethylene vinyl acetate, polyanhydrides, polyglycolic acid, collagen, polyorthoesters, polylactic acid and polylactic, polyglycolic copolymers (PLG). Many methods for the preparation of such formulations are known to those skilled in the art.

For each of the recited embodiments, the compounds can be administered by a variety of dosage forms. Any biologically-acceptable dosage form known to persons of ordinary skill in the art, and combinations thereof, are contemplated. Examples of such dosage forms include, without limitation, reconstitutable powders, elixirs, liquids, solutions, suspensions, emulsions, powders, granules, particles, microparticles, dispersible granules, cachets, inhalants, aerosol inhalants, patches, particle inhalants, implants, depot implants, injectables (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, and intradermal), infusions, and combinations thereof.

The above description of various illustrated embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The teachings provided herein of the invention can be applied to other purposes, other than the examples described above.

These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the above detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims. Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the disclosure, but instead the scope of the invention is to be determined entirely by the following claims.

The invention may be practiced in ways other than those particularly described in the foregoing description and examples. Numerous modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings and, therefore, are within the scope of the appended claims.

Certain teachings related to methods for obtaining a clonal population of antigen-specific B cells were disclosed in U.S. Provisional patent application No. 60/801,412, filed May 19, 2006, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Certain teachings related to humanization of rabbit-derived monoclonal antibodies and preferred sequence modifications to maintain antigen binding affinity were disclosed in International Application No. PCT/US2008/064421, corresponding to International Publication No. WO/2008/144757, entitled “Novel Rabbit Antibody Humanization Methods and Humanized Rabbit Antibodies”, filed May 21, 2008, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Certain teachings related to producing antibodies or fragments thereof using mating competent yeast and corresponding methods were disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/429,053, filed May 8, 2006, (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2006/0270045), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Certain teachings related to anti-NGF compositions and uses thereof were disclosed in U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/418,832, filed Dec. 1, 2010, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Certain NGF antibody polynucleotides and polypeptides are disclosed in the sequence listing accompanying this patent application filing, and the disclosure of said sequence listing is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The entire disclosure of each document cited (including patents, patent applications, journal articles, abstracts, manuals, books, or other disclosures) in the Background of the Invention, Detailed Description, and Examples is herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

The following examples are put forth so as to provide those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how to make and use the subject invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of what is regarded as the invention. Efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect to the numbers used (e.g. amounts, temperature, concentrations, etc.) but some experimental errors and deviations should be allowed for. Unless otherwise indicated, parts are parts by weight, molecular weight is average molecular weight, temperature is in degrees centigrade; and pressure is at or near atmospheric.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Preparation of Antibodies that Bind NGF

By using the antibody selection protocol described herein, one can generate an extensive panel of antibodies.

Immunization Strategy

Rabbits were immunized with huNGF (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn.). Immunization consisted of a first subcutaneous (sc) injection of 100 μg in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) (Sigma) followed by two boosts, two weeks apart, of 50 μg each in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) (Sigma). Animals were bled on day 55, and serum titers were determined by ELISA (antigen recognition) and by non-radioactive proliferation assay (Promega) using the T1165 cell line.

Antibody Selection Titer Assessment

To identify and characterize antibodies that bind to human NGF, antibody containing solutions were tested by ELISA. Briefly, neutravidin coated plates (Thermo Scientific), were blocked with ELISA buffer (0.1 mg/mL BSA, 1×PBS pH 7.4, 0.002% Tween 20 and 0.005% sodium azide) for 1 hr at room temperature. The plates were then coated with a 1 μg/mL biotinylated B-NGF solution in ELISA buffer for 1 hour at room temperature. This was followed by a wash step (3× using PBS plus 0.05% Tween 20) and a second block with ELISA buffer. The recombinant antibodies were then added onto the plates and incubated for 1 hour at room temperature and then washed 3× with PBS/Tween solution. For development, an anti-rabbit Fc-HRP (1:5000 dilution in ELISA buffer) was added onto the wells and incubated for 45 min at RT. After a 3× wash step with PBS/Tween solution, the plate was developed using TMB substrate for 3 minutes, stopped using 0.5M HCl and read at 450 nm.

Functional Titer Assessment

To test for the ability of NGF antibodies to block or inhibit NGF-dependent cell proliferation, we used TF-1 cells (Chevalier et al. Expression and functionality of the trkA proto-oncogene product/NGF receptor in undifferentiated hematopoietic cells. Blood (1994) vol. 83 (6) pp. 1479-85). Briefly, TF-1 cells were maintained in 10% FBS cRPMI media (“complete media”) supplemented with rhuGM-CSF. On the day of the assay, the antibodies were serially diluted in complete media in a round bottom 96 well plate. B-NGF (R&D systems) was concomitantly added and the resultant antibody/B-NGF mixture was incubated at 37° C. for 1 hr. While the Ab and B-NGF mixture was incubating, TF-1 cells were washed 3× with complete media, counted and plated in a flat bottom 96 well plate using 25,000 cells per well in a 50 μL volume. After 1 hour incubation the NGF-Antibody mixtures were added onto the cells and the plates were incubated for 48 hrs at 37° C. in a humidified 5% CO₂ incubator. Cell proliferation was measured using the “CellTiter” aqueous one solution cell proliferation assay (Promega) according to the manufacturer's instructions. The dependency of the signals on the concentration of antibody was analyzed, and IC50 values were calculated using the GraphPad Prism program.

Tissue Harvesting

Once acceptable titers were established, the rabbit(s) were sacrificed. Spleen, lymph nodes, and whole blood were harvested and processed as follows:

Spleen and lymph nodes were processed into a single cell suspension by disassociating the tissue and pushing through sterile wire mesh at 70 μm (Fisher) with a plunger of a 20 cc syringe. Cells were collected in PBS. Cells were washed twice by centrifugation. After the last wash, cell density was determined by trypan blue. Cells were centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 10 minutes; the supernatant was discarded. Cells were resuspended in the appropriate volume of 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, Sigma) in FBS (Hyclone) and dispensed at 1 ml/vial. Vials were stored at −70° C. in a slow freezing chamber for 24 hours and stored in liquid nitrogen.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated by mixing whole blood with equal parts of the low glucose medium described above without FBS. 35 ml of the whole blood mixture was carefully layered onto 8 ml of Lympholyte Rabbit (Cedarlane) into a 45 ml conical tube (Corning) and centrifuged 30 minutes at 2500 rpm at room temperature without brakes. After centrifugation, the PBMC layers were carefully removed using a glass Pasteur pipette (VWR), combined, and placed into a clean 50 ml vial. Cells were washed twice with the modified medium described above by centrifugation at 1500 rpm for 10 minutes at room temperature, and cell density was determined by trypan blue staining. After the last wash, cells were resuspended in an appropriate volume of 10% DMSO/FBS medium and frozen as described above.

B Cell Culture

On the day of setting up B cell culture, PBMC, splenocyte, or lymph node vials were thawed for use. Vials were removed from LN2 tank and placed in a 37° C. water bath until thawed. Contents of vials were transferred into 15 ml conical centrifuge tube (Corning) and 10 ml of modified RPMI described above was slowly added to the tube. Cells were centrifuged for 5 minutes at 1.5K rpm, and the supernatant was discarded. Cells were resuspended in 10 ml of fresh media. Cell density and viability was determined by trypan blue. Cells were washed again and resuspended at 1E07 cells/80 μL medium. Biotinylated huNGF (B huNGF) was added to the cell suspension at the final concentration of 3 ug/mL and incubated for 30 minutes at 4° C. Unbound B huNGF was removed with two 10 ml washes of phosphate-buffered (PBF):Ca/Mg free PBS (Hyclone), 2 mM ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), 0.5% bovine serum albumin (BSA) (Sigma-biotin free). After the second wash, cells were resuspended at 1E07 cells/80 μl PBF. 20 μl of MACS® streptavidin beads (Milteni)/10E7 cells were added to the cell suspension. Cells were incubated at 4° C. for 15 minutes. Cells were washed once with 2 ml of PBF/10E7 cells. After washing, the cells were resuspended at 1E08 cells/500 μl of PBF and set aside. A MACS® MS column (Milteni) was pre-rinsed with 500 ml of PBF on a magnetic stand (Milteni). Cell suspension was applied to the column through a pre-filter, and unbound fraction was collected. The column was washed with 1.5 ml of PBF buffer. The column was removed from the magnet stand and placed onto a clean, sterile 5 ml Polypropylene Falcon tube. 1 ml of PBF buffer was added to the top of the column, and positive selected cells were collected. The yield and viability of positive and negative cell fraction was determined by trypan blue staining. Positive selection yielded an average of 1% of the starting cell concentration.

A pilot cell screen was established to provide information on seeding levels for the culture. Plates were seeded at 10, 25, 50, 100, or 200 enriched B cells/well. In addition, each well contained 50K cells/well of irradiated EL-4.B5 cells (5,000 Rads) and an appropriate level of activated rabbit T cell supernatant (See U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20070269868)(ranging from 1-5% depending on preparation) in high glucose modified RPMI medium at a final volume of 250 μl/well. Cultures were incubated for 5 to 7 days at 37° C. in 4% CO₂.

Identification of Selective Antibody Secreting B Cells

Cultures were tested for antigen recognition and functional activity between days 5 and 7.

Antigen Recognition Screening

The ELISA format used is as described above except 50 μl of supernatant from the B cell cultures (BCC) wells was used as the source of the antibody. The conditioned medium was transferred to antigen-coated plates. After positive wells were identified, the supernatant was removed and transferred to a 96-well master plate(s). The original culture plates were then frozen by removing all the supernatant except 40 μl/well and adding 60 μl/well of 16% DMSO in FBS. Plates were wrapped in paper towels to slow freezing and frozen after the addition of 10% DMSO at −70° C.

Functional Activity Screening

To test for the ability of NGF antibodies to block or inhibit NGF-dependent cell proliferation, we used TF-1 cells (Chevalier et al. Expression and functionality of the trkA proto-oncogene product/NGF receptor in undifferentiated hematopoietic cells. Blood (1994) vol. 83 (6) pp. 1479-85). Briefly, TF-1 cells were maintained in 10% FBS cRPMI media (“complete media”) supplemented with rhuGM-CSF. On the day of the assay, the antibodies were serially diluted in complete media in a round bottom 96 well plate. B-NGF (R&D systems) was concomitantly added and the resultant antibody/B-NGF mixture was incubated at 37° C. for 1 hr. While the Ab and B-NGF mixture was incubating, TF-1 cells were washed 3× with complete media, counted and plated in a flat bottom 96 well plate using 25,000 cells per well in a 50 μL volume. After 1 hour incubation the NGF-Antibody mixtures were added onto the cells and the plates were incubated for 48 hrs at 37° C. in a humidified 5% CO₂ incubator. Cell proliferation was measured using the “CellTiter” aqueous one solution cell proliferation assay (Promega) according to the manufacturer's instructions. The dependency of the signals on the concentration of antibody was analyzed, and IC50 values were calculated using the GraphPad Prism program.

B Cell Recovery

Plates containing wells of interest were removed from −70° C., and the cells from each well were recovered with 5-200 μl washes of medium/well. The washes were pooled in a 1.5 ml sterile centrifuge tube, and cells were pelleted for 2 minutes at 1500 rpm.

The tube was inverted, the spin repeated, and the supernatant carefully removed. Cells were resuspended in 100 μl/tube of medium. 100 μl biotinylated NGF coated streptavidin M280 dynabeads (Invitrogen) and 16 μl of goat anti-rabbit H&L IgG-FITC diluted 1:100 in medium was added to the cell suspension.

20 μl of cell/beads/FITC suspension was removed, and 5 μl droplets were prepared on a glass slide (Corning) previously treated with Sigmacote (Sigma), 35 to 40 droplets/slide. An impermeable barrier of paraffin oil (JT Baker) was added to submerge the droplets, and the slide was incubated for 90 minutes at 37° C., 4% CO₂ in the dark.

Specific B cells that produce antibody can be identified by the fluorescent ring around them due to antibody secretion, recognition of the bead-associated biotinylated antigen, and subsequent detection by the fluorescent-IgG detection reagent. Once a cell of interest was identified, the cell in the center of the fluorescent ring was recovered via a micromanipulator (Eppendorf). The single cell synthesizing and exporting the antibody was transferred into a 250 μl microcentrifuge tube and placed in dry ice. After recovering all cells of interest, these were transferred to −70° C. for long-term storage.

Isolation of Antibody Sequences from Antigen-Specific B Cell

Antibody sequences were recovered using a combined RT-PCR based method from a single isolated B-cell or an antigenic specific B cell isolated from the clonal B cell population. Primers are designed to anneal in conserved and constant regions of the target immunoglobulin genes (heavy and light), such as rabbit immunoglobulin sequences, and a two-step nested PCR recovery step is used to obtain the antibody sequence. Amplicons from each well are analyzed for recovery and size integrity. The resulting fragments are then digested with AluI to fingerprint the sequence clonality. Identical sequences display a common fragmentation pattern in their electrophoretic analysis. The original heavy and light chain amplicon fragments are then restriction enzyme digested with HindIII and XhoI or HindIII and BsiwI to prepare the respective pieces of DNA for cloning. The resulting digestions are then ligated into an expression vector and transformed into bacteria for plasmid propagation and production. Colonies are selected for sequence characterization.

Recombinant Production of Monoclonal Antibody of Desired Antigen Specificity and/or Functional Properties

Correct full-length antibody sequences for each well containing a single monoclonal antibody are established and miniprep DNA is prepared using Qiagen solid-phase methodology. This DNA is then used to transfect mammalian cells to produce recombinant full-length antibody. Either antibody containing supernatants or protein-A affinity purified antibodies are tested for antigen recognition and functional properties to confirm the original characteristics are found in the recombinant antibody protein.

Antigen Specific ELISA

To identify and characterize antibodies and Fab fragments that bind to human NGF, antibody- and Fab-containing solutions were tested by ELISA. Briefly, neutravidin coated plates (Thermo Scientific), were blocked with ELISA buffer (0.1 mg/mL BSA, 1×PBS pH 7.4, 0.002% Tween 20 and 0.005% sodium azide) for 1 hr at room temperature. The plates were then coated with a 1 μg/mL biotinylated B-NGF solution in ELISA buffer for 1 hour at room temperature. This was followed by a wash step (3× using PBS plus 0.05% Tween 20) and a second block with ELISA buffer. The recombinant antibodies or Fabs were then added onto the plates and incubated for 1 hour at room temperature and then washed 3× with PBS/Tween solution. For development, an anti-human Fc-HRP or an anti-human Fab-fragment HRP (1:5000 dilution in ELISA buffer) was added onto the wells and incubated for 45 min at RT. After a 3× wash step with PBS/Tween solution, the plate was developed using TMB substrate for 3 minutes, stopped using 0.5M HCl, and read at 450 nm.

Results: FIGS. 24-40 demonstrate that anti-NGF antibodies Ab1-Ab21 bind to NGF. Furthermore, FIGS. 28 and 29 demonstrate that Fab antibody fragments Fab1 and Fab2 bind to NGF.

Functional Activity Screening

To test for the ability of NGF antibodies to block or inhibit NGF-dependent and TrkA receptor-mediated cell proliferation activity, we used TF-1 cells (Chevalier et al. Expression and functionality of the trkA proto-oncogene product/NGF receptor in undifferentiated hematopoietic cells. Blood (1994) vol. 83 (6) pp. 1479-85). Briefly, TF-1 cells were maintained in 10% FBS cRPMI media (“complete media”) supplemented with rhuGM-CSF. On the day of the assay, the antibodies were serially diluted in complete media in a round bottom 96 well plate. B-NGF (R&D systems) was concomitantly added and the resultant antibody/B-NGF mixture was incubated at 37° C. for 1 hr. While the Ab and B-NGF mixture was incubating, TF-1 cells were washed 3× with complete media, counted and plated in a flat bottom 96 well plate using 25,000 cells per well in a 50 μL volume. After 1 hour incubation the NGF-Antibody mixtures were added onto the cells and the plates were incubated for 48 hrs at 37° C. in a humidified 5% CO₂ incubator. Cell proliferation was measured using the “CellTiter” aqueous one solution cell proliferation assay (Promega) according to the manufacturer's instructions. The dependency of the signals on the concentration of antibody was analyzed, and IC50 values were calculated using the GraphPad Prism program.

Results: FIGS. 41-52 demonstrate that anti-NGF antibodies Ab1-Ab20 inhibit the proliferation of TF-1 cells. Furthermore, FIG. 44 demonstrates that Fab antibody fragments also inhibit the proliferation of TF-1 cells. These Fab antibody fragments were produced by: 1.) Pichia pastoris expression of Fab2; and 2.) enzymatic digestion of Ab21 produced in Pichia pastoris (Fab1).

Example 2 Enzymatic Production of Fab Fragments

Papain digestions were conducted using immobilized papain (Thermo/Pierce) as per manufacturer's instructions. Briefly, purified antibodies were incubated in a cystein/HCl-containing buffer with immobilized papain at 37° C. with gentle rocking. The digestion was monitored by taking an aliquot and analyzing using SDS-PAGE for cleavage of the heavy chain. To stop the reaction, the immobilized papain was spun out and washed using 50 mM Tris pH 7.5 and filtered. Undigested full length antibody and Fc fragments were removed by using a MabSelectSure (GE) column.

Example 3 Yeast Cell Expression

Antibody genes: Genes were cloned and constructed that directed the synthesis of a chimeric humanized rabbit monoclonal antibody.

Methods

Construction of Pichia pastoris Expression Vectors for Heavy and Light Chain Antibodies

The light and heavy chain fragments (chimera or humanized) were commercially synthesized and subcloned into a pGAP expression vector. The pGAP expression vector uses the GAP promoter to drive expression of the immunoglobulin chain and the human serum albumin (HAS) leader sequence for export. In addition, this vector contains common elements such as a bacterial origin of replication, and a copy of the Sh ble gene which confers resistance to the antibiotic Zeocin™ (phleomycin). Zeocin™ provides a means of selection for strains that contain the desired expression vector integrated into their genome.

Transformation of Expression Vectors into Haploid Met1 and Lys3 Host Strains of Pichia pastoris

All methods used for transformation of haploid P. pastoris strains and manipulation of the P. pastoris sexual cycle were done as described in Pichia Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology Higgings, D R, and Cregg, J M, Eds. 1998. Humana Press, Totowa, N.J.). Prior to transformation each vector was linearized within the GAP promoter sequences to direct the integration of the vector into the GAP promoter locus of the P. pastoris genome. Haploid strains were transfected using electroporation and successful transformants were selected on YPD Zeocin™ plates and then cultured in 96-well plates for two days. Haploid strains were mated and selected for their ability to grow in the absence of the auxotroph markers (i.e., Lys and Met). Diploid strains were then selected for their ability to express either full length or Fab antibody fragments using a ForteBio Octet system fitted with Protein A biosensors to monitor expression.

Example 4 Expression of Ab21 and Fab2 in Pichia pastoris

Two Pichia strains for expression of either full length Ab21 or Fab2 antibody fragment were made. For both the full length or the Fab expressing strains, haploids strains were created and subsequently mated. One haploid strain expressed full length light sequences for Ab21 and another haploid strain expressed either the full length Ab21 or a truncated form of heavy chain to express an Fab fragment (e.g., Fab2). Each diploid strain was used to generate a research cell bank and used for expression in a bioreactor.

First an inoculum was expanded using the research cell bank using medium comprised of the following nutrients (% w/v): yeast extract 3%, anhydrous dextrose 4%, YNB 1.34%, 0.004% Biotin with 100 mM potassium phosphate. The culture was expanded for approximately 24 hours in a shaking incubator at 30° C. and 300 rpm to generate the inoculum for the fermenters. A 10% inoculum was then added to Labfors 2.5 L working volume vessels containing sterile growth medium. The growth medium for the full length Ab21 was comprised of the following nutrients: potassium sulfate 18.2 g/L, ammonium phosphate monobasic 36.4 g/L, potassium phosphate dibasic 12.8 g/L, magnesium sulfate heptahydrate 3.72 g/L, sodium citrate dihydrate 10 g/L, glycerol 40 g/L, yeast extract 30 g/L, PTM1 trace metals 4.35 mL/L, and antifoam 204 1.67 mL/L. The PTM1 trace metal solution was comprised of the following components: cupric sulfate pentahydrate 6 g/L, sodium iodide 0.08 g/L, manganese sulfate hydrate 3 g/L, sodium molybdate dihyrate 0.2 g/L, boric acid 0.02 g/L, cobalt chloride 0.5 g/L, zinc chloride 20 g/L, ferrous sulfate heptahydrate 65 g/L, biotin 0.2 g/L, and sulfuric acid 5 mL/L.

The growth medium for the Fab2 fragment was comprised of the following nutrients: potassium sulfate 10.92 g/L, ammonium phosphate monobasic 21.84 g/L, potassium phosphate dibasic 7.68 g/L, magnesium sulfate heptahydrate 3.72 g/L, sodium citrate dihydrate 10 g/L, glycerol 40 g/L, yeast extract 30 g/L, PTM1 trace metal solution 2.61 mL/L, and antifoam 204 1.67 mL/L. The PTM1 trace metal solution was comprised of the following components: cupric sulfate pentahydrate 6 g/L, sodium iodide 0.08 g/L, manganese sulfate hydrate 3 g/L, sodium molybdate dihyrate 0.2 g/L, boric acid 0.02 g/L, cobalt chloride 0.5 g/L, zinc chloride 20 g/L, ferrous sulfate heptahydrate 65 g/L, biotin 0.2 g/L, and sulfuric acid 5 mL/L. Both proteins were expressed under similar conditions. Briefly, the bioreactor process control parameters were set as follows: Agitation 1000 rpm, airflow 1.35 standard liter per minute, temperature 28° C. and pH was controlled at six using ammonium hydroxide. No oxygen supplementation was provided.

The fermentation cultures were grown for approximately 12 to 16 hours until the initial glycerol was consumed as denoted by a dissolved oxygen spike. The cultures were starved for approximately three hours after the dissolved oxygen spike. After this starvation period, a bolus addition of ethanol was added to the reactor to reach 1% ethanol (w/v). The fermentation cultures were allowed to equilibrate for 15 to 30 minutes. Feed addition was initiated 30 minutes post-ethanol bolus and set at a constant rate of 1 mL/min for 40 minutes, then the feed pump was controlled by an ethanol sensor keeping the concentration of ethanol at 1% for the remainder of the run. The feed was comprised of the following components: yeast extract 50 g/L, dextrose 500 g/L, magnesium sulfate heptahydrate 3 g/L, and PTM1 trace metals 12 mL/L. For fermentation of the full length Ab21, sodium citrate dihydrate (0.5 g/L) was also added to the feed. The total fermentation time was approximately 90 hours.

Example 5 Inhibition of NGF-p75 Interactions

NGF is reported to interact with two receptors on the cell surface: TrkA and p75. A biolayer interferometry assay via the “Octet” was used to characterize the ability of anti-NGF antibodies to inhibit NGF-p75 interactions. Briefly, streptavidin (SA) sensors were pre-wetted in 1× kinetics buffer (1×PBS ph7.4, 0.002% Tween 20, 0.005% sodium azide and 0.1 mg/mL BSA). A baseline was obtained using again 1× kinetics buffer, followed by binding of the biotinylated antibody being tested and another short baseline in 1× kinetics buffer. NGF (1 μg/mL) was loaded next and the sensor was then transferred onto 1× kinetics buffer. After loading of NGF onto the antibody, on one sensor, all possible sites of NGF were blocked using an un-labeled solution of the biotinylated antibody at 5 μg/mL. As control, a parallel sensor was submerged into 1× kinetics buffer during this second blocking step. Both sensors were then exposed to a solution containing p75 (1.2 μg/mL). The ability of an antibody to block or inhibit NGF-p75 interactions was then characterized by monitoring the increase in signal when antibody-immobilized NGF was exposed to soluble p75.

Results: FIGS. 53 and 54 demonstrates that anti-NGF antibodies Ab3, Ab4, Ab15, and Ab16 do not inhibit binding of NGF to p75, while FIG. 55 demonstrates that antibody Ab5 inhibits binding of NGF to p75.

Example 6 Neurite PC12 Assay

The ability of anti-NGF antibodies to block or inhibit NGF signaling mediated through the p75 and TrkA receptors was measured in vitro using a rat adrenal medulla cell line, PC12. PC12 cells express both p75 and TrkA receptors on their cell surface (Urdiales et al. Cell cycle phase-specific surface expression of nerve growth factor receptors TrkA and p75(NTR). J Neurosci (1998) vol. 18 (17) pp. 6767-75); (Greene and Tischler. Establishment of a noradrenergic clonal line of rat adrenal pheochromocytoma cells which respond to nerve growth factor. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (1976) vol. 73 (7) pp. 2424-8). Briefly, PC12 cells were maintained in culture using 15% FBS RPMI and grown on a collagen I-coated flask for 48 hours before priming. The cells were then ‘primed’ for 72 hours by exposing them to 100 ng/mL NGF in differentiation media (1% horse serum RPMI). On the day of the assay, the cells were harvested with a cell scraper, resuspended, rinsed in differentiation media (without NGF) and plated onto a collagen I-coated 24-well plate. The final concentration of NGF in the assay was 100 ng/mL. The antibodies being tested were pre-incubated with the NGF at different molar ratios (from 10× to 0.1×) for 1 hour in differentiation media prior to adding them onto the PC-12 cells. On day 3, the media was gently removed and antibody-NGF mixtures were replaced. On day 10, the wells were observed under a microscope and representative fields were digitized using a 10× magnification lens.

Results: FIGS. 56-69 and FIGS. 78 and 79 demonstrate that anti-NGF antibodies Ab1-Ab3, Ab5-Ab11, Ab13, Ab15, Ab16, and Ab17-Ab19 inhibit the outgrowth of PC-12 neurite cells at increasing concentrations. It can be seen that antibodies Ab3, Ab15 and Ab16, when assayed at the same antibody concentrations as the other tested anti-NGF antibodies, showed significantly less inhibition of the outgrowth of PC-12 neurite cells. This difference is believed to be attributable to the fact that Ab3, Ab15 and Ab16, all inhibit TrkA/NGF interactions and not NGF/p75 interactions, whereas the remaining tested antibodies inhibit the interaction of NGF with both TrkA and p75.

Example 7 Modulation of Pain Assessed by Gait Analysis

To assess the effect of anti-NGF agents (full length and Fab fragments) in their ability to modulate pain, a PGPS (peptidoglycan polysaccharide)-induced arthritis model was used. Briefly, male Lewis rats were injected with a solution of PGPS into their right ankle on day (−)17. One day later, ankles were evaluated for an inflammatory response to the PGPS injection and non-responders were eliminated. Responders were allowed to recover for seventeen days before an IV tail vein reactivation with PGPS.

Full-length antibodies were dosed once, either 2 hours or the night before reactivation. Fab fragments were administered once a day with the first dose administered two hours prior to reactivation. Gait analysis was performed by applying ink to the ventral surface of the foot and documenting weight bearing during movement (footprints) across paper. The rear feet of the rats were placed in blue colored ink, and black ink was applied to the dorsal side of the foot on the suspected painful leg. Rats were placed on paper and allowed to walk. Gaits were scored as follows: 0=normal, equal ink staining on both feet; 1=slight limp, toe staining evident and some heel staining; 2=limping, toes only staining; 3=dragging/carrying leg, black drag marks from dorsal side of foot present; 4=carrying leg, no staining from painful leg.

Results: FIG. 70 demonstrates a statistically significant reduction in pain as assessed by Gait analysis following administration of antibodies Ab2, Ab6, and Ab8, when compared with results obtained with the controls.

FIG. 71 demonstrates a statistically significant reduction in pain as assessed by Gait analysis following administration of antibody Ab6 and Fab1, when compared with results obtained with the controls.

FIG. 72 demonstrates a statistically significant reduction in pain as assessed by Gait analysis following administration of antibody Ab3, when compared with results obtained with the controls.

FIG. 73 demonstrates a statistically significant reduction in pain as assessed by Gait analysis following administration of antibody Ab6 and antibody Ab21, when compared with results obtained with the controls.

Example 8 Inflammation in PGPS-Induced Arthritis

The PGPS (peptidoglycan polysaccharide) induced arthritis model used to assess pain (Example 7) also has an associated inflammation response. To assess inflammation, all animals had caliper measurements taken of their ankles prior to reactivation on day 0, and then on days 1, 2, 3 and 4 to determine any anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory effects present in treated rats.

Results: FIG. 74 demonstrates an increase in inflammation following administration of each of antibodies Ab2, Ab6, and Ab8, when compared with inflammation results for the controls.

FIG. 75 demonstrates no significant increase in inflammation following administration of the Fab1 antibody fragment, when compared with inflammation results for the control. In contrast, administration of antibody Ab6 resulted in increased inflammation, when compared with inflammation results for the controls.

FIG. 76 demonstrates an increase in inflammation following administration of antibody Ab3, when compared with inflammation results for the controls.

FIG. 77 also demonstrates an increase in inflammation following administration of antibody Ab6 and antibody Ab21, when compared with inflammation results for the controls.

Example 9 Modulation of Pain Assessed by Gait Analysis

To assess the effect of anti-NGF agents (full length and Fab fragments) in their ability to modulate pain, a PGPS (peptidoglycan polysaccharide)-induced arthritis model was used. Briefly, male Lewis rats were injected with a solution of PGPS into their right ankle on day (−)17. One day later, ankles were evaluated for an inflammatory response to the PGPS injection and non-responders were eliminated. Responders were allowed to recover for seventeen days before an IV tail vein reactivation with PGPS. On day 2 post-reactivation, animals were tested by gait for pain and randomized based on their pain response. The animals were then dosed via IV injection receiving 5 mg/kg of either a negative control antibody or a test agent.

Full-length antibodies and Fab fragments were dosed once, either 2 hours or the night before reactivation. Gait analysis was performed by applying ink to the ventral surface of the foot and documenting weight bearing during movement (footprints) across paper. The rear feet of the rats were placed in blue colored ink, and black ink was applied to the dorsal side of the foot on the suspected painful leg. Rats were placed on paper and allowed to walk. Gaits were scored as follows: 0=normal, equal ink staining on both feet; 1=slight limp, toe staining evident and some heel staining; 2=limping, toes only staining; 3=dragging/carrying leg, black drag marks from dorsal side of foot present; 4=carrying leg, no staining from painful leg.

Results: FIG. 80 demonstrates no significant change in overall wellness, as determined by body weight, following administration of antibody Ab3 or Ab15, when compared with the change in body weight for the no reactivation control. In contrast, administration of negative control antibody resulted in a reduction in body weight, when compared with the change in body weight for the no reactivation control.

FIG. 81 demonstrates a statistically significant reduction in pain as assessed by Gait analysis following administration of antibody Ab3 or antibody Ab15, when compared with results obtained with the controls following example 9. In particular, a demonstrated statistically significant reduction in pain at 72 hours post-reactivation as assessed by Gait analysis following administration of antibody Ab3 or antibody Ab15, when compared with results obtained with the controls following example 9. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A chimeric or humanized anti-human NGF antibody or antibody fragment which specifically binds to an intact NGF polypeptide or fragment thereof, wherein said antibody or antibody fragment comprises the variable light (V_(L)) chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 polypeptides respectively having the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 55, 56 and 57, and further comprising the variable heavy (V_(H)) chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 polypeptides respectively having the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 58, 59 and
 60. 2. The antibody of claim 1, wherein said antibody fragment is selected from an Fab fragment, an Fab′ fragment, scFv, or an F (ab′)₂ fragment.
 3. The antibody or antibody fragment of claim 1, which is a humanized antibody or antibody fragment.
 4. The antibody or antibody fragment of claim 1, which comprises the VL polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:51 and the V_(H) polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:53.
 5. The antibody or antibody fragment of claim 1, which comprises a light chain polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52 and a heavy chain polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:54.
 6. The antibody or antibody fragment of claim 1, which is a Fab comprising the V_(L) polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:407 and the V_(H) polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:408.
 7. The antibody or antibody fragment of claim 1, which contains a human Fe derived from human IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, or IgG4.
 8. The antibody or antibody fragment of claim 7, which is an IgG1.
 9. The antibody or fragment of claim 1, wherein said antibody or antibody fragment thereof is aglycosylated and/or comprises an Fc region that has been modified to alter effector function, half-life, proteolysis, and/or glycosylation.
 10. The antibody or antibody fragment of claim 1, which is directly or indirectly attached to a detectable label or therapeutic agent.
 11. A composition containing an antibody or antibody fragment according to claim 1, and a pharmaceutically or diagnostically acceptable carrier or excipient.
 12. A composition containing an antibody or antibody fragment according to claim 3, and a pharmaceutically or diagnostically acceptable carrier or excipient.
 13. A composition containing an antibody or antibody fragment according to claim 4, and a pharmaceutically or diagnostically acceptable carrier or excipient.
 14. A composition containing an antibody or antibody fragment according to claim 5, and a pharmaceutically or diagnostically acceptable carrier or excipient.
 15. A composition containing an antibody or antibody fragment according to claim 6, and a pharmaceutically or diagnostically acceptable carrier or excipient. 